1,252 candidates file nominations as deadline ends; scrutiny on March 24

THE deadline for nominations passed on Monday, with 1,252 candidates from across the state officially contesting the April 9 assembly elections, and a total of 2,117 nomination papers submitted across 140 constituencies, including 1,510 filed on that day alone, according to the Chief Electoral Officer-Kerala.

However, the final picture of candidates in the fray will be clear only after the scrutiny of the nominations on Tuesday and the deadline for withdrawal of candidature on Wednesday.

With 229 nominations, Kozhikode district received the largest number of papers, followed by Ernakulam (221) and Malappuram (216), according to the latest figures.

Among the districts with the largest number of candidates, Kozhikode is on top with 146 people, followed by Thiruvananthapuram (138) and Malappuram (137).

Constituency-wise, Kalpetta tops the list with 25 nomination papers from 14 candidates. This is followed by Varkala, Perambra, Peravoor and Koduvally with 22 nominations each, and Manalur, Elanthur and Kozhikode North constituencies with 21 each.