The scrutiny of nominations would be completed today and the deadline for withdrawal is set for October 7, a spokesperson for state Election Commission said.
A total of 1,49,649 entered the fray the multi-tier local bodies in Kerala as the deadline for filing nominations drew to a close last evening.
The scrutiny of nominations would be completed today and the deadline for withdrawal is set for October 7, a spokesperson for state Election Commission said.
For the first time, 50% of the total 21,612 seats have been reserved for women in village, bolock and district panchyats and municpal councils and city corporations.
Just as any other elections in Kerala, the civic polls are also fought on political lines with the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF and the opposition Congress led UDF being the main contestants.
The local body polls are seen as a "dress-rehearsal" for the assembly elections due in the state in April-May next year.
The grass-root level face-off is taken by the rival fronts as an opportunity for political mobilisation and ground-testing for the larger political battle for early next year.
The LDF, which suffered heavy losses in the Lok Sabha polls last year,has exuded confidence of regaining the lost ground thoruhg the civic polls.
The UDF, despite the internal internal bickerings over seat-sharing, however is trying hard to make it an impressive show before gearing up for the assembly elections.
The BJP, fighting a lonely battle, has also put up contestants in a majority of seats.
Though the battle is largely on coalition lines, both fronts are facing rebel problem in many places across the state with aggrieved aspirants jumping the fray against the party diktats.
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