Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

State Election Commission freezes symbol

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State Election Commission has temporarily frozen the ‘cycle' election symbol granted to Kerala Congress.

The Kerala Congress faction headed by P.J. Joseph had submitted a complaint seeking cancellation of the symbol, an official release said here on Friday. The symbols are allotted by the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Following the complaint, the SEC sought a clarification from the ECI. The SEC decided to freeze the symbol as the ECI had not taken a final decision.

Norms

The SEC had laid down the norms for candidates. Those desirous of contesting in the elections should complete 21 years of age on the date of filing the nomination.

Each contestant should be a voter in any ward in the local self-government institution from which he opts to contest.

A candidate should be nominated and supported by the voters of the ward from where he files nomination. Employees of State and Central governments, corporations controlled by the governments or local self-government institutions (LSGIs) or companies in which they hold 51 per cent shares and universities are not eligible to contest the elections.

Not qualified

Employees terminated on corruption charges are barred from the contest for five years from the date of termination. Part-time employees as well as those drawing honorarium cannot contest. Elected members who have been disqualified on anti-defection charges will not be able to contest for six years from the date of disqualification.

Contractors who have taken up works of the government and LSGIs, lawyers engaged by the government or LSGIs as well as those aurally challenged are not eligible to contest the election.

Deposit

The deposit for contesting the corporation and district panchayat has been fixed at Rs.200; municipality and block panchayats at Rs.150 and grama panchayats at Rs.100.

Candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes and Tribes need remit only 50 per cent of the respective amounts.

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