Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister H K Patil on Wednesday informed the media that Governor Vajubhai Vala had given his assent to the Karnataka Panchayat Raj Amendment Bill, 2015.“The Governor had sought a legal clarification on making voting mandatory in gram panchayat elections. He had sought clarifications twice, in the last couple of months. We had given him the clarifications, which were found to be satisfactory by the Governor. Accordingly, he has given his assent to the bill,” a report in Deccan Herald quoted him.With this, the amendments made in the bill will come into effect in the upcoming gram panchayat election, said the minister. 50% reservation for women, mandatory voting in the panchayat elections and none of the above (NOTA) option has been included in the amendment. Along with the that, the president and his/her deputy will enjoy of a term of five years, the report said.