THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: During the scrutiny of the nominations filed for the local body elections in the state till the last reports were coming in 3130 nominations were rejected. Nominations can be withdrawn till 3pm on November 23.
Among the nominations received for the grama panchayats elections 2215 were rejected, 305 were rejected in the block panchayats, 133 were rejected in the district panchayats and 477 nominations were rejected in the municipalities. Among the six corporations 121 nominations were rejected. In Kainakary panchayat in Alappuzha, a CPM candidate was declared elected unopposed as nominations of UDF and BJP candidates were rejected during scrutiny. The final figures of the total nominations rejected are being updated by the state election commission late in the night.
As per the directive from the state election commission, the recommendations letter for the political parties seeking election symbols should reach the commission before 3 pm on November 23. The last date for withdrawal of the nomination is on November 23. The final list of candidates and their symbols will be published on the same evening.
All the recognized political parties can use their recognized symbols. However, if there is no candidate for any political party in any ward then that symbol can be awarded to an independent candidate. Those political parties for which the commission has not allotted any symbols will be treated as independent candidates.
On Friday, opposition Congress alleged that the CPM was trying to sabotage free and fair election in local bodies of Kannur. “The situation is serious in Anthur and Mappattam. Congress has considerable clout there. In the last lok sabha poll, K Sudhakaran led by 4967 votes in Anthur”, he said referring to the unopposed victory of CPM candidates in a few seats in Anthur.
To queries, Mullappally said UDF won’t have any electoral understanding with parties which are not its consitutents. “Congress is a national party and there won’t be any decision in contrast with the policies of the national leadership,” he said.