Karnataka, which has been under the rule of the President since December 28, 2007, will go to polls in the third week of May 2008, sources in the Election Commission of India told rediff.com.

The Election Commisson office in Karnataka has been directed to be prepared and commence work on the same.

Sources said that the EC had also taken into acccount a report by Intelligence Bureau, which had stated that it would be most feasible to hold elections in the third week of May.

The EC was advised that holding polls in the third week of May would be most feasible as no other state will be holding polls at time.

This would mean maximum number of security forces can be deployed in Karanataka at that time.

The exact date for the elections will be announced after holding discussions with the Home Department in Karnataka.

A source in the Election Commission office in Karnataka said that the exact date could be expected in the first week of April.