Ernakulam District Collector G. Priyanka examines the nomination papers of candidates for the district panchayat elections. | Photo credit: RK Nithin
The Congress suffered a major setback on Saturday (November 22, 2025) as the nomination papers filed by a candidate for the Ernakulam district panchayat were rejected after scrutiny. The nomination papers filed by Elsa George, who sought to contest in the newly created Kadamakudy division, were rejected after it was found that the person who supported her candidature was a voter from outside the division.
Ms. Elsay, who represents the Vallarpadam division, is the vice-chairman in the outgoing council. The inspection was conducted by District Collector G. Priyanka, who is the District Panchayat Returning Officer on Collectorate. A total of 255 nominations filed for the district panchayat elections were accepted while eight were rejected. Nominations can be downloaded until November 24.
Cong. blames the officials
Meanwhile, the Congress accused the election officials of acting with political bias. District Congress Committee Chairman Muhammed Shiyas said that Ms. Elsay and party leaders with her had raised doubts about the vote of the person who supported her in submitting the documents and that her nomination was accepted after the concerned officials double-checked the voter list.
“Though the candidate and the leaders with her, who still had doubts, tried to clear them up again, the police did not allow them to enter the Assembly Chamber. It is clear that the officials colluded in a deliberate embezzlement. The Left Democratic Front knows that it will not be in the picture in Ernakulam if the elections are conducted fairly. That is why Mr. MP has committed himself to such a representative. Shiyas allegedly.
He said the Congress will go to any lengths, legally and politically, to fight the rejection of the nomination of a candidate.
12,580 nominations
A total of 12,580 nominations filed by candidates for various local bodies in the district were received till 8 pm on Saturday, even as verification was underway at various centres. They include 6,755 women and 5,825 men. A total of 348 nominations were rejected (186 women, 162 men).
Published – 22 Nov 2025 22:38 IST
