Dakshina Kannada election: 'Nomination papers of all candidates found in order'

Mangaluru: Election officer of Dakshina Kannada-Udupi local authorities constituency A B Ibrahim, who is also the deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada said nominations of 14 candidates have been found to be in order during the scrutiny of papers on Thursday. The nominations papers filed include those by four from recognized national and regional political parties, and rest independents. The 14 candidates had filed 24 sets of nomination papers. With nomination of all candidates found to be in order and none rejected, Ibrahim said final list of candidates in fray will be known after 3pm on December 12, the time they have to withdraw the nominations. The district administration is fully geared up for the smooth conduct of the election, Ibrahim said. This is for the first time candidates' photographs are being used on ballot papers instead of party symbols as per the directive of the Election Commission of India. Election, if necessary, will be held from 8am to 4pm on December 27. A presiding officer assisted by a polling officer, a group D employee and one police personnel will man every polling booth. Where there are more than 25 voters, an additional polling officer will be deployed. The constituency has 410 local bodies with 3,193 male and 3,375 female voters. Polling booths will be set up in respective local body's office to facilitate voting, Ibrahim said. The administration has sent proposal to the Election Commission to have Victoria Girls' Composite PU College, Lady Hill, Mangaluru, as the counting center, DC said. The Election Commission has deputed Adoni Syed Saleem, secretary to government, department of minorities' welfare as poll observer to Dakshina Kannada-Udupi. He will be staying at Mangaluru Circuit House. Candidates, agents can call him over 9448125880 to lodge grievances, if any. -TOI