Bengaluru, June 1 (IANS) Elections have been notified to fill seven vacant seats in the Karnataka Legislative Council following the retirement of sitting members.

The election notification was issued by Karnataka Legislative Assembly Secretary and Returning Officer M.K. Vishalakshi on Monday.

The vacancies have arisen due to the retirement of Legislative Council members Govindaraju (Congress), Naseer Ahmed (Congress), M.T.B. Nagaraj (BJP), Pratap Simha Nayak (BJP), Tippannappa Kamakanoor (Congress), Sunil Valyapure (BJP), and B.K. Hariprasad (Congress).

The nomination process commenced immediately after the notification was issued.

According to the election schedule, June 8 has been fixed as the last date for filing nominations. Scrutiny of nomination papers will be conducted on June 9, while June 11 is the last date for withdrawal of candidature.

Polling, if required, will be held on June 18 between 9 am and 4 p.m. at room number 106, first floor, Vidhana Soudha. The counting of votes will take place on the same day from 5 p.m onwards, and the election process will conclude by June 20.

Karnataka Legislative Assembly Secretary Vishalakshi will be the election officer, and Karnataka Legislative Assembly Director B.S. Mahalingesh would assistant election officer. The candidates are directed to submit their nominations in Form D, and a minimum of 10 sitting MLAs should put their signatures supporting the contestant.

The candidates hailing from the Scheduled Caste and the Scheduled Tribe are required to deposit Rs 5,000, and other candidates are required to deposit Rs 10,000 while submitting nominations.

The election assumes significance as it comes amid ongoing political developments in Karnataka, with major parties expected to field candidates based on legislative strength and political considerations.

Further details regarding candidates and party nominations are expected in the coming days.

–IANS

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