//Set the CIM halo properties of a north arrow.
//Reference the first selected element (assumption is it is a north arrow)
Element northArrow = LayoutView.Active.GetSelectedElements().First();
//Perform on the worker thread
QueuedTask.Run(() =>
{
//Get definition of north arrow...
var cim = northArrow.GetDefinition() as CIMMarkerNorthArrow;
//this halo symbol is 50% transparent, no outline (i.e. 0 width)
//First construct a polygon symbol to use in the Halo
//Polygon symbol will need a fill and a stroke
var polyFill = SymbolFactory.Instance.ConstructSolidFill(ColorFactory.Instance.CreateRGBColor(0, 0, 0, 50));
var polyStroke = SymbolFactory.Instance.ConstructStroke(ColorFactory.Instance.BlackRGB, 0);
var haloPoly = SymbolFactory.Instance.ConstructPolygonSymbol(polyFill, polyStroke);
//Set the north arrow definition of HaloSymbol and HaloSize
((CIMPointSymbol)cim.PointSymbol.Symbol).HaloSymbol = haloPoly;
((CIMPointSymbol)cim.PointSymbol.Symbol).HaloSize = 3;//size of the halo
//Apply the CIM changes back to the element
northArrow.SetDefinition(cim);
});