LAST-MINUTE RUSH: Candidates try to enter the Cuddalore Panchayat Union office to file nominations on Wednesday. — Photo: T. Singaravelou

CHENNAI: Nominations poured in on Wednesday, the last date for filing papers for the local body elections.

Thousands of candidates, including party nominees, submitted their nominations at election offices spread across the State.

The State Election Commission instructed returning officers to allow candidates who reached the panchayat unions, municipalities and corporations by 3 p.m. (the deadline), to file their papers. The officials issued tokens to candidates who arrived at the last minute and assured them that their papers would be accepted.

According to a State Election Commission official, thousands of candidates filed their papers on the last date. The exact number would be known only by late Wednesday. Till Tuesday about 1.8 lakh candidates had filed their nominations, including 1.59 lakh candidates in rural areas.

One reason for the last minute rush was that the constituents of the Democratic Progressive Alliance, headed by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, could finalise the seat-sharing arrangement only on Tuesday night. The DMK announced its list only on Wednesday morning. In some municipalities where the parties could not decide on the candidates' list, all aspirants were asked to file their papers with an assurance that the symbol letter would be given to them once the list was finalised.

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president M. Krishnasswamy told The Hindu that the district committees appointed by the party had finalised the list of candidates in most of the corporations and municipalities. In places where they could not decide on the list, all aspiring candidates were directed to file their papers.

Nominations will be scrutinised on Thursday and the last date for withdrawal of nominations is September 30. The first phase of the elections will be held on October 13 and the second phase on October 15. Counting will commence on October 18.

About 4.64 crore voters will exercise their franchise in the local body elections for 1.30 lakh posts. This time, Corporation mayors, municipality chairmen and district and panchayat union presidents will be elected by elected corporation, municipality and panchayat union ward members. Election for these posts will be held on October 28.

The DPA suffered a setback in Chennai Corporation with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) deciding to go it alone in the city protesting against the allotment of only two seats to the party out of the 154 wards. A party official said the party would contest in 18 wards, 10 in North Chennai and eight in South Chennai. He ruled out the possibility of any rapprochement, pointing out that the DMK had announced candidates for the two seats allotted to the CPI(M).

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