Concerned about accommodating the rising number of nominations filed by candidates for local body elections in the State and the likelihood of a multi-cornered contest, officials have started exploring various alternatives to cope with the challenge of conducting free and fair elections.
Based on suggestions from officials of various civic bodies, the State government is planning to give a longer time for filing nominations.
Even after officials rejected many nominations during the past three local body elections, the number of contestants has increased with every election.
The number of contestants in 2001 was 3.58 lakh. In 2006, it increased to 3.68 lakh and in 2011, the number crossed 4.1 lakh.
According to a study conducted this year, the number of candidates in local body elections is expected to increase significantly.
Amendments suggested
The State government officials are anticipating a multi-cornered contest this year with most of the political parties fighting local body elections alone without forming coalitions.
In a bid to conduct free and fair elections, officials of various Corporations, municipalites and panchayats have suggested amendment to the Tamil Nadu Town Panchayats, Third Grade Municipalities, Municipalities and Corporations (Elections) Rules, 2006.
After the State government amends Sections 22 and 27 of the rules, the time spent by officials for receiving nominations is likely to increase by at least two hours a day.
The time spent on scrutiny of nominations is expected to increase by 50 per cent. During the previous elections, officials conducted scrutiny of nominations from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the day of scrutiny, and accepted nominations from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for seven days.
As per Section 22, the local body election notifications shall specify the date on which the public notice of election shall be published, the last date for making nominations and the hours between which the nomination can be made.
With more independent candidates planning to contest elections this year, returning officers are likely to require more time to examine the nomination papers and decide ward by ward all objections that may be raised.
