<span style="color: #222222;">The countdown has begun for the by-election to the two Assembly segments with district administration in Bengaluru and Tumkuru making arrangements for conducting the polls under the shadow of the pandemic. The elections will be held on November 3rd. There are 15 candidates in fray in Sira and 16 in R R Nagar assembly constituencies. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">BJP, Congress and JD(S) have fielded their candidates in both the constituencies. There are 330 polling booths in Sira and 678 in R R Nagar. The State Chief Electoral Officer has issued an advisory to the political parties to follow guidelines while campaigning for their candidates. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The advisory says that in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, if the political parties or candidates are found violating the guidelines, then a penal action will be initiated against them. It says that the Election Commission will withdraw all the permissions and facilities regarding election campaigns if the norms are flouted by them. They have been advised to maintain social distancing and wear masks while campaigning, which ends tomorrow.<b> </b></span><br />''