Every term the statistics reporting on the number of candidates contesting in the local body elections is increasing at a steady phase. Last term, close to 4.11 lakh candidates contested in 2011 local body elections state-wide, so this year it is presumed the numbers may go even higher.
With the last date for filing application getting closer, the Corporation and Panchayat Offices have begun to buzz. Yesterday, 346 nominations have been filed in Coimbatore district, pushing the count from 192 to 538, in total.
Out of the total 100 posts for councillors, so far 126 nominations have been filed in the city. The AIADMK party were the first to file their nominations, at all 100 wards. Anyhow, the DMK Congress alliance, next in line is yet to file their part. It is expected that the nomination numbers would triple in the next couple of days.
However, incomplete nominations and those applicants who does not fit the eligibility criteria would be denied. The last date for withdrawal has been declared as 6th October, 2016. Independent contestants mostly make use of the day to withdraw their applications from contesting due to 'personal' and 'monetary' reasons