Kerala SEC Bans Vehicle Entry Within 100 Metres of Nomination Centres

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State Election Commission has announced that nominations for the upcoming local body elections will begin at 11 am on November 14 and close at 3 pm on November 21.

Candidates must be registered voters in the wards from which they are contesting and should have completed 21 years of age as on the date of nomination. The security deposit has been fixed at 2,000 rupees for grama panchayats, 4,000 rupees for block panchayats and municipalities, and 5,000 rupees for district panchayats and corporations. Candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes need to pay only half the amount.

The Commission has directed that no vehicles will be permitted within 100 metres of the offices of returning officers during the nomination period. Only the candidate and up to five persons will be allowed inside at a time.

Government employees, aided- school staff, and those engaged under contract with local bodies are barred from contesting. However, Anganwadi and Balwadi workers, ASHA workers, and Kudumbashree CDS chairpersons are eligible.

A State-level Media Relations Committee has also been constituted to address complaints related to media coverage during the elections. Complaints may be sent to [email protected]