Wayanad gears up for green elections

Kalpetta: Wayanad is all set to hold green elections, focusing on waste management. The aim is to carry out the elections with nature-friendly items thereby reducing the wastes produced in the process to a great extent. 

Green Protocol nodal officer S Harshan urged the political parties to pay attention to the waste disposal during the election period. The State is expecting over 500 tonnes of garbage, including the election campaign items and food wastes, he said, adding that the amount of waste could be reduced through effective interventions. He further said to ensure that the rest of the waste be treated scientifically.

Election campaign items such as banners, boards and hoardings made of non-recyclable materials such as PVC flex, polyester, nylon, polypropylene, thermocol and plastic coated cloth should not be used. Instead, items made of pure cotton and paper can be used. The items used to decorate poll vehicles can also be made of natural products like palm and coconut leaves, bamboo, reed etc.

The authorities have also instructed to make maximum use of digital possibilities for the campaigning. It was also directed to use steel water bottles instead of plastic bottles and to avoid disposable cups and plates and to use steel or glass tumblers and plates at the election offices.

Penalty for green protocol violation 

Any violation of the green protocol will invite a fine starting from Rs 10,000, informed nodal officer S Harshan. A team of three at district level and 26 teams, comprising four members each, at local levels have been appointed to monitor any such violation. Protocol officers have also been appointed at three levels of panchayats as well.