April 20 is the last day for withdrawal of nominations
As many as 12 nomination papers have been rejected during the scrutiny process of the nomination papers filed by the candidates contesting the assembly election in Dakshina Kannada district on Thursday. The nomination papers filed by 86 candidates are in order.
According to information available at the deputy commissioner’s office, majority of the rejected nominations are filed by independent candidates. Nomination papers filed by the candidates belonging to national parties and other recognised parties have been approved. The taluk-wise figure of the approved nominations are as follows: Belthangady constituency-8, Moodbidri-8, Mangalore North-11, Mangalore South-15, Mangalore-18, Bantwal-9, Puttur-7 and Sullia-10. With a two-day deadline for withdrawing nominations by candidates, the final list of the candidates remaining in fray will be available by Saturday evening.
Campaigns kick start
With the completion of the process of filing nominations, the political parties in the district have begun to work out tactics to fight the election which is only a fortnight away. The Congress began its election campaigning in the form of padayatre on Thursday, while the BJP organised the party workers baitak. The Congress padayatre led by Janardhan Poojary kick started at Valencia and passed through the main roads of Mangalore. Mangalore South Congress candidate J R Lobo was part of the campaign, seeking votes. In the BJP meeting at the party office, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, guided the workers on adapting campaigning methods.The JD(S) has become the victim of internal fight, with several of its leaders, office-bearers and members quitting the party and joining other parties.
The internal fight has halted the campaigning process.
SMS campaigning
Taking note of the political parties and candidates campaigning through SMSes and voice messages to reach the voters, the election commission has warned of taking stringent action against those who campaign through media without obtaining permission from the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC). It has also warned of taking action against the service providers who fail to work in accordance with the rules and regulations, under Section 127 of the Representative of People’s Act.
Buses on poll duty
In a press released issued by the KSRTC Division Controller, the excess buses plying on certain routes will temporarily cancelled as they will be deputed on election duty, as per the direction of the District Election Commissioner.
1 nomination rejected
One nomination has been rejected during scrutiny out of as many as 97 nominations that were filed in the district.
The rejected nomination was filed by the independent candidate Vishwanath from Kundapur assembly constituency.
