Thiruvananthapuram, March 19 As many as 23 candidates have filed their nominations for the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections, according to the Election Commission, as the process gained momentum on Thursday.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is among those who have submitted their nomination papers.
The last date for filing nominations is March 23.
The first nomination was filed by Joemon Joseph Srampickal from the Changanassery constituency on March 16.
Vijayan, the veteran Marxist leader, filed his nomination from the Dharmadom constituency on Thursday.
Among others, Minister O R Kelu filed his nomination from Mananthavady, while CPI(M) MLA Antony John submitted papers from Kothamangalam.
Congress candidates who have filed nominations include K A Thulasi from Kongad, T N Prathapan from Manalur, Bindhu Krishna from Kollam, P Aisha Potty from Kottarakkara, and Mahesh from Karunagapally.
Indian Union Muslim League leaders V S Abdul Gafoor from Kalamassery and Najeeburahman from Perinthalmanna have also filed their nominations.
From the BJP, Santhosh Cherakulam filed his nomination from the Irinjalakuda constituency.
A Kerala Congress candidate, Shibu, has also filed his nomination from Kothamangalam.
In addition, six independent candidates, three from the Socialist Unity Centre of India, one from the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Red Star, and one from the Bahujan Samaj Party, have also filed their nominations.
Elections will be held for 140 Assembly segments on April 9, with the counting of votes scheduled for May 4.
