Sun Nov 23 15:56:29 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:
Summary:
Ahead of local body elections, the Kozhikode District Suchitwa Mission in India is enforcing a strict “green protocol” campaign to minimize environmental impact. Political parties are encouraged to use eco-friendly campaign materials like paper and cotton, and decorations made from natural resources, and will be incentivized to recycle polyethylene waste. The initiative includes public awareness campaigns, training for polling officials, and the establishment of “Green Booths” at polling stations. Violations can be reported through WhatsApp. The green protocol is now a statutory part of the Model Code of Conduct, strengthening its enforcement.
News Article:
Kozhikode District Aims for Green Elections with Strict Environmental Protocol
KOZHIKODE, INDIA – November 23, 2025 – As local body elections approach, the Kozhikode District Suchitwa Mission has launched an intensive campaign to enforce a “green protocol,” aiming to minimize the environmental impact of political campaigning and voting.
Under the theme “Let’s win the election without defeating the environment,” the initiative, coordinated with political parties, election officials, the public, and the Haritha Karma Sena (HKS), aims to reduce waste generation and promote eco-friendly practices.
“Our first aim is to reduce waste generation as much as possible. The second is to ensure that political campaigns remain eco-friendly,” said District Suchitwa Mission Coordinator Ragesh E.T.
The campaign includes a “Vote Yatra” to raise awareness and meetings with political party representatives to sensitize them to the green protocol. Crucially, this year the green protocol is a statutory part of the Model Code of Conduct, unlike previous years.
Parties are mandated to use only campaign materials made of paper, pure cotton, or polyethylene. Decorations must be crafted from paper or natural materials like coconut leaves. Poly-cotton materials are banned, and shops selling campaign materials are under surveillance. The HKS will offer ₹5 per kg for polyethylene materials collected for recycling after the elections.
Polling booths will also adhere to the protocol, using water dispensers instead of individual bottles and coconut leaf waste bins. Each local body will establish at least one “Green Booth.”
Public awareness programs featuring stage artists are underway. Violations of the green protocol can be reported via WhatsApp to 9446700800.
The District Suchitwa Mission hopes this comprehensive effort will ensure environmentally responsible local elections.
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