Nominations can be filed at 16 centres in city: Lakhoni

Speaking to DT Next, Chief Electoral Officer Rajesh Lakhoni said that nominations can be filed in 16 centres in the city. “To make the process hassle free, this time the EC has made a change. Accordingly, candidates can file their papers at two places in their respective constituencies with the Returning Officers (ROs) or Principal ROs,” he said. Asked about any specific arrangement, the CEO said that candidates after filing nomination could take a pledge that they would not indulge in code violations like distribution of money to secure votes. “This is a special arrangement this time but, it is not mandatory,” Lakhoni said. 

Only three persons along the candidate would be allowed inside the nomination filing venue and an upper limit of three vehicles would only be allowed for the candidate while coming to file the papers. These vehicles should be parked 100 metres from the offices of ROs. “As far as security deposit is concerned, it will be Rs 10,000 for general candidates and Rs. 5,000 for those belonging to SC/ST communities,” the CEO said.

With all arrangements in place for the nomination filing exercise, a majority of party nominees and independent candidates are busy checking almanacs and daily sheet calendars to look for the auspicious day. While April 22 does not seem to be too great a day to commence the process, according to whispers in AIADMK and DMK circles, the high commands have hinted that the possible date could be April 25. 

In some strange cases in the past elections, some candidates paid the deposit money in coins the denomination of one, two and five. Though there is no provision in the EC rules to reject coins, it gave a tough and memorable experience for the officials.