Karnataka poll date leak: Election Commission sets up probe panel

 Amid high political drama over the alleged leak of Karnataka assembly election schedules, the Election Commission on Tuesday set up a committee to probe into the incident.

The probe orders by the Election Commission came hours after the BJP’s IT cell chief Amit Malviya tweeted the Karnataka polling schedule even before the poll conducting body’s press conference. While Malviya was correct about the election date, he got the counting date wrong.

The committee comprising senior officials has been asked to submit its report within seven days.

"The Commission immediately directed that the matter be probed and necessary and effective action be taken. Accordingly, Commission has constituted a committee of senior officers of Election Commission to investigate the matter and give its report within seven days,” the EC said in a statement.

"The Committee would also suggest steps needed to prevent any such eventuality in future. The Committee set up by the Commission has already sought information from the concerned media organisations and individuals,” the EC added.

At a press conference in the day, CEC OP Rawat had described the leak as a "very serious" issue that merited a probe and "stringent action".

“Certain details may have been leaked for which we will take strictest possible action — both legally and administratively,” he told the media.

The polling in Karnataka’s 224 assembly constituencies will be held in a single phase on May 12 and the counting of votes will be held on May 15.