Nominations for Kerala local bodies cross 1.50 lakh

With Wednesday marking the close of nominations for the two-phase local bodies polls in Kerala, a total of 1.50 lakh nominations have been filed, a state Election Commission official said.

The official requesting anonymity told IANS that 1.47 lakh nominations were received during 2010 local body elections.

"Figures are coming in from the 4,000 centres across the state where nominations are being accepted. So far, the number has crossed 1.50 lakh and a final figure to be available it will take more time," said the official.

The polls will be held over two days -- November 2 and 5.

On November 2, the polls would be held in the districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Idukki, Kozhikode, Kannur, Wayanad and Kasargode while on November 5, the election would be held in Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram districts.

The polls would be for 21,871 seats in 941 village, 152 blocks and 14 district panchayaths besides 86 municipalities and six corporations. The last date nominations' withdrawal would be October 17.

Over 2.50 crore voters would exercise their franchise at 35,000 polling booths.

In 2010, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) had won over 60 percent of the total seats.

Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said the verdict of the polls would be a referendum on his governance while exuding confidence that they would win like 2010.

"Yes, the last-minute seat sharing talks are going on with the allies and by and large we have been able to solve most of the issues," Chandy told reporters here on Wednesday at the state Congress party headquarters.

"By the last date of withdrawal, all the remaining issues would also be settled and the UDF would be united to fight the elections, which we will win easily," said state Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala.

But the first victory has already been registered by the CPI-M, as in 10 divisions in the newly formed Anthoor Municipality in Kannur district, their candidates would need not go to the electorate as no other candidate has filed their nomination.