Karnataka polls date were not leaked, EC clarifies, calls it 'mere speculation'

The Election Commission of India has clarified that the alleged leak of the dates for Karnataka polls was a 'mere speculation'.

The EC said on Friday, "Alleged leak wasn't a leak and was mere speculation. Presentation of news item by TV channels and tweets by political party leaders regarding the dates just as commission was making the announcement, was avoidable".

The dates of the Karnataka election polls were said to have leaked after BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya tweeted the election date of the polls before the EC's announcement. He tweeted the polls would be held on May 12 and counting will take place on May 18.While he was correct about the date of polling, he got the counting date wrong

On March 27, the Election Commission had constituted a committee of senior officials to probe the leak of the poll schedule.