Bangalore: The election processes are picking up speed for various district units and Central office of Kannada Sahitya Parishat which is a prestigious body that upholds Kannada as a classical language of great merit, going back to more then 2000 years, its use in Government/Judicial/legislative spheres, also trade and business, schools and colleges, encouragement to Kannada students and writers, Kannada culture and festivals like Dasara, annual literary conferences, apart from holding taluk/ district level meets of Kannada lovers, and running a Kannada official magazine(monthly).

Obviously, the KSP elections are fiercely contested and presidentships of annual conferences are always coveted. There is also a Poet Laureate in Kannada.

The KSP has a 3 year term for its Presidentship and office-bearers, which was sought to be raised to 5 years a couple of years ago but failed.

In 2012, the elections have come round, due on April 29 and results will be announced on May2. These are avidly looked forward to.

There are 11 candidates this year, whereas in earlier years, only two names used to pop up for a hard- fought election of giants.

March 31 is the day of scrutiny of all nomination papers. Withdrawals are permitted upto April5.

The district units(30 in all) had March29 as last date for submitting nomination papers. There are 237 candidates among them today.

In Bangalore City and Rural units, 16 nominations have come so far. On April 5, a final list of KSP Presidential nominees will be published by   special returning officer, to conduct a free and fair election.