Local Body Election 2025: Green Protocol Violations to Face Strict Action
PATHANAMTHITTA: The State Election Commission has issued a comprehensive green protocol guideline to ensure that the upcoming local body elections in 2025 are environmentally friendly. These directives mandate strict adherence to eco-friendly practices at every stage of the electoral process, from initial campaign activities to post-election cleaning operations. The Commission has explicitly instructed that all forms of plastic be avoided, urging the exclusive use of environmentally sustainable materials in all aspects of campaigning and within polling booths.
Under the stringent new guidelines, several key prohibitions and requirements have been outlined. The use of PVC, flex, polyester, nylon, Korean cloth, and any other plastic-containing materials for campaign boards, banners, hoardings, and posters is strictly forbidden. Instead, candidates and political parties are permitted to use only materials certified by the Pollution Control Board, such as 100% cotton, linen, or other readily reusable substances.
To further minimize environmental impact, the protocol addresses food provisions for polling officials and agents. It mandates that meals be sourced through Kudumbashree catering units and served exclusively on traditional banana leaves or in reusable containers, completely eliminating plastic parcels.
In a move to ensure compliance, the State Election Commission has empowered local body secretaries to initiate strict legal action against any candidates who fail to adhere to the green protocol regulations, as well as against organizations found to be utilizing prohibited materials. A dedicated enforcement squad will be established at the local body level specifically to identify and address violations of the green protocol.
Encouraging public participation in this initiative, a “single WhatsApp number” system will be introduced, allowing citizens to easily report any observed green protocol infringements. Furthermore, upon the conclusion of voting, candidates and political parties are responsible for promptly collecting all their campaign materials and handing them over to the Haritha Karma Sena (Green Task Force), along with the specified user fee.
Should campaign materials not be removed within five days of the election, local self-government secretaries are authorized to undertake their removal. The costs incurred in such operations will be considered a personal liability of the respective candidate and will be recovered through appropriate legal action. The circular also stipulates that the services of the Haritha Karma Sena must be engaged for waste management at all polling booths, counting stations, and training centers, with each deployed member receiving a daily wage of Rs. 710/-.