Number of nominations crosses 2,000 mark

The number of nominations filed by candidates for the 5 May assembly elections in Karnataka crossed 2,000 on Wednesday. Thursday is the last day for filing of nominations, with chief minister Jagadish Shettar and deputy chief ministers K S Eshwarappa and R Ashoka slated among others to file papers.  As of 5.30 pm, a total of 351 nominations had been filed, Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer Anil Kumar Jha said.  The number includes those from Congress (23), JDS (26), BJP (8), BSP (34), BSR Congress (14), KJP (14) and independents (172).  Cumulative figure is 2001 nominations, including 641 from independents.  The virtual mad rush for filing of nominations witnessed yesterday, an auspicious day, was missing today, officials said.  The total electorate in the state stood at 4.38 crore with the addition of more than 20.64 lakh new voters.  Jha gave a list of 23 documents, including authenticated photo voter slip, driving licence, PAN cards, Aadhaar and ration card with photograph, to be produced for voting.