1.08 lakh candidates for local body elections

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The filing of nomination papers for the local body elections was completed yesterday. A total of 108,580 candidates filed nominations for 23,612 wards. Among them, 51,352 are men and 57,227 are women.

In total, 164,427 sets of nomination papers were submitted. Yesterday alone, 45,652 candidates filed their papers.

Malappuram district recorded the highest number of candidates- 13,595, followed by Thrissur with 11,079, Palakkad with 10,372, and Ernakulam with 10,092. Wayanad had the fewest nominations, with only 3,180. The number of candidates in other districts are: Kozhikode- 9,977, Thiruvananthapuram- 8,625, Kollam- 7,141, Pathanamthitta- 4,164, Alappuzha- 7,210, Kottayam- 6,276, Idukki- 4,257, Kannur- 8,238, and Kasaragod- 4,374.

Scrutiny today The detailed scrutiny of nomination papers will begin at 10 a.m. today.

The respective returning officers will conduct the scrutiny. Along with the candidate, the election agent, proposer, and one person authorised by the candidate will be allowed to enter the verification room.

If a candidate has submitted more than one nomination, all of them will be examined together. After scrutiny, the returning officer will publish the list of validly nominated candidates.

LDF candidates unopposed in four wards LDF candidates have been elected unopposed in the Malappattam grama panchayat and Anthoor municipality in Kannur district. In Malappattam panchayat, I.V. Othenan (Ward 5 – Aduvappuram North) and C.K. Shreya (Ward 6) were elected unopposed as no other nominations were submitted.

In Anthoor municipality, K. Rajitha (Morazha ward) and K. Premarajan (Podikundu ward) are unopposed. Once the scrutiny is over today, their election will be officially confirmed.

Anthoor is the only municipality in the state without any opposition to the LDF. Malappattam panchayat is known as a CPI(M) stronghold.