The State Election Commission has issued a detailed circular stating the upcoming Kerala local body election measures, which has been scheduled in three stages on December 8, 10, and 14. Circles will be drawn outside polling stations for voters standing in queues following social distancing norms owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. The voters can cast votes from 7 am to 6 pm.
To ensure hygiene, buckets, mugs, soap and water will be kept outside each polling booth. Respective local body’s secretaries should remove the paper and other waste materials after the polling. In each polling booth, special carry bags should be kept to dispose of biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste. To sort masks and gloves, yellow and red coloured carry bags will be provided.
Respective local bodies’ secretaries should examine that polling stations in panchayats, municipalities and corporations have enough necessary facilities. Generators should be made available to tackle if the power supply is disrupted. During day and evening, polling stations must have adequate lighting. Toilet facilities must be made available in each polling station. Kudumbasree service should be arranged to provide food for polling staff.
On December 8, the first phase of the election would be held in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha and Idukki districts. In the second phase, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad and Wayanad districts voters can cast their votes on Dec 10. On December 14, the election would take place in Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasargod districts. The election results will be out on December 16.
