Kannur: Kannur District Collector Arun K Vijayan has barred media from covering the district panchayat president election. On Thursday morning, police prevented media persons who had arrived at the district panchayat hall from reporting the election. Police stated that the action was taken following instructions of the Collector, who serves as the returning officer.

Police clarified that entry into the district panchayat office will not be permitted without prior approval from senior officials. This is a change from previous practice, where no such restrictions were in place. Enhanced security has also been arranged outside the panchayat office. 

Divya not to attend

District panchayat member and former president P P Divya will not attend the voting. There were indications that if Divya arrives, the UDF and BJP would protest.

The presidential election became necessary following Divya’s resignation. In the 24-member governing body of the district panchayat, 17 members are from the LDF and seven from the UDF. The president will be elected through a ballot vote. After the announcement of results, the new president will take the oath of office in the presence of the Collector.

K K Ratnakumari, chairperson of the district panchayat health and education standing committee, is the CPM candidate, while M Jubilee Chacko of the Congress will contest as the UDF candidate.