Thiruvananthapuram:Ā In view of the coming elections, Kerala Chief Electoral Officer Teeka Ram Meena said yesterday that all parties must strictly follow the Green protocol –Ā 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.
The Kerala High Court on Monday prohibited use of flex materials and other non-biodegradable materials for election campaigning throughout the state.
Speaking to reporters about this, Meena said political parties in the State should follow Court’s order in this regard and must remove the already installed flex boards. He said that district officers have already been asked to remove the already fixed flex boards.Ā As per a government order, polling stations, counting centres and other election offices should avoid plastic materials even in the form of drinking water bottles. He urged theĀ political parties to co-operate with the protocol strictly.
Meena further asked candidates to provide details of any criminal cases pending against them in order to reduce criminalisation of politics. “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,” he said.
Meena apprised the political party representatives of the procedures to be followed in the election and said that 100 per cent VVPAT machines were being used this time.