Bangalore: State Election Commissioner Anil Kumar Zha has said that the assembly elections is likely to incur an expenditure of Rs 180 crore on the state.

He informed that the Election Commission has availed Rs 200 crores from the state government for election purposes. He said identity cards were a must to exercise franchise despite names in electoral roll. Arrangements have been made for KSRTC staff on election duty to exercise franchise through postal ballots.

He said the BJP has been allowed to field a new candidate in Periyapattana where its earlier candidate passed away. Zha informed that a total of 2500 cases of poll code violation have been reported so far  of which 650 were police cases. He said  so far  illicit liquor worth Rs  5 crore has been seized.

Kiosks will be opened  near every polling booth for the  convenience of  voters who have not received  the voting slip.  One lakh security personnel  including Para Military forces from Himachal Pradesh have been deputed to ensure peaceful polling. There will be two lakh government staff on poll duty, he added.

The state will have 33 counting centres, he informed and added that  election code of conduct will be effective till March 20.