Kerala Local Body Representatives Take Oath Amidst Anti-Defection Scrutiny
Thiruvananthapuram: Nearly twenty thousand elected representatives for local self-government institutions across Kerala are set to take their oath of office today, marking the beginning of their term. The ceremonies, which also include the first governing body meetings, are scheduled to commence at 10 AM in Grama, Block, and District Panchayats, as well as in Municipalities. In the larger Corporations, the oath-taking procedures will begin at 11:30 AM. This significant event was scheduled for a Sunday, a holiday, as the tenure of the previous governing bodies concluded yesterday.
A crucial aspect of today’s proceedings involves the signing of two pivotal registers by the newly elected members, documents that will significantly impact their upcoming administrative period. Alongside the official oath register, which formally records their assumption of office, members are also required to sign a party affiliation register. This second register mandates that each representative explicitly declares their allegiance to a particular political party or front. The implications of this registration are particularly salient for independent candidates.
Should an independent candidate choose to formally record their support for a political party in this register, they will subsequently become legally bound to adhere to the whip issued by that party. Any violation of this whip can lead to severe consequences, including disqualification under the stringent anti-defection law. The gravity of this provision is underscored by past precedents; following the 2020 elections, the Election Commission disqualified 63 individuals on similar grounds, clearly demonstrating the rigorous enforcement and critical importance of these registers.
The oath-taking ceremony itself follows a specific protocol. In each local self-government institution, the senior-most elected member will be the first to be administered the oath. District Collectors will preside over this initial oath in Corporations and District Panchayats, while returning officers will fulfill this duty in Grama and Block Panchayats. Following this, the senior member will then proceed to administer the oath to all other elected representatives. Upon the conclusion of these ceremonial duties, the first official meeting of the newly constituted governing body will also convene today, setting the stage for their term in public service.