As Karnataka is gearing up for its Assembly elections, the two national parties in the state, the Congress and the BJP, have expressed their interest on conducting single-phase polls in the state.

Meanwhile, the regional parties have expressed their desire to have the elections conducted in three phases. 

"In the past, most assembly elections were held in a single day. One-day election in the state will be free and fair affair", BJP leader Suresh Kumar was quoted as saying.

The BJP had earlier alleged that the Congress was colluding with officials in constituencies like KR Puram and BTM Layout.

Meanwhile KPCC vice-president, KE Radhakrishna, remarked that the Karnataka state police can maintain law and order and endorsed a single-phase poll as well.

"The party will be happy if they hold elections in a single phase since we are confident that the administrative machinery in Karnataka is capable of handling law and order issues”, TOI quoted him as saying.

Speaking to reporters, KPCC vice-president BL Shankar, had earlier said, "The model code of conduct should not be imposed earlier than prescribed, because the term of our government ends in May," he said.

However, representatives of regional parties have been pushing for a three-phase poll. JD(S) official spokesperson Ramesh Babu argued that there should be a gap of at least a few days between polling dates. 

Babu had earlier stated that voter IDs must be linked with Aadhaar, to eliminate bogus voters and ensure more credible results.

The decision regarding single-phased polls and multi-phased polls are made by the Election Commission, after taking several factors taking into consideration, such as the number of constituencies, local weather, regional events and state's law and order situation among others.