LS elections in the state to go Green

Thiruvananthapuram: The coming Lok Sabha polls in Kerala will see the strict enforcement of Green protocol with the election authority banning use of non-biodegradable materials for campaign.

The candidates have also been asked to provide details of any criminal cases pending against them.

As per the 'green protocol', candidates and political parties can use only eco-friendly boards, banners which can be recycled and materials, including plastics and PVCs, will not be allowed, Chief Electoral Officer Teeka Ram Meena said Wednesday.

Political parties should follow the recent Kerala High Court order in this regard and must remove the already installed flex boards.

"I have asked the district officers (Collectors) to remove the already fixed flex boards. Non-biodegradable materials are completly banned. Political parties must co-operate. This time we will follow the green protocol strictly," Meena told reporters here.

As per a government order to ensure the protocol, polling stations, counting centres and other election offices should avoid plastic materials even in the form of drinking water bottles.

"They (candidates) should publish in local newspaper and in a TV channel about the criminal cases against them.

This is part of the various electoral reforms. This is to reduce criminalisation of politics...," Meena said.

At the all-party meeting called by the Electoral Officer, Meena apprised the political party representatives of the procedures to be followed in the election.

He said the party leaders had doubts about the VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) machines.

"We are using 100 per cent VVPAT machines this time," he added.

The Kerala High Court Monday prohibited use of flex materials and other non-biodegradable materials for election campaigning throughout the state.