Karwar: Filing of the nominations for Uttara Kannada Lok Sabha constituency began on Thursday.

To ensure that all the candidates follow rules, the Election Commission has issued strict directions and has also warned of action in case of violation of rules.

To maintain law and order and prevent incidents which cause inconvenience to the general public during the filing of nomination by candidates, a few restrictions have been imposed. These will be in force around the office where the candidates will have to submit their nomination papers.

The office of Returning Officer has been set up at the office of the deputy commissioner and the candidates have to go there to file the nomination papers. Naturally, the supporters of the candidates, political leaders, workers and others gather there resulting in chaos. Therefore, as a  precautionary measure, prohibitory orders have been imposed in an area of 100 meters around the office till April 4 from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm.

More than three vehicles cannot ply around the office at once in the said timings. A maximum of five persons including the candidate can enter the office of the returning officer. Carrying of arms and lethal weapons is prohibited. No crackers can be burst while the candidate comes to the office to file the nominations, said District Returning Officer K Harishkumar.

He said that use of loudspeakers is prohibited when the candidate is moving towards the office to file papers or while in the office. Keeping chemicals which are harmful to human health are also not allowed. The returning officer has asked the candidates to mandatorily follow all the conditions failing which will attract action..The district superintendent of police has also been asked to ensure that these guidelines were followed.