Stephan Kayyar

Daijiworld Media Network – Kasargod (EP)

Kasargod, Nov 6: Elections for local bodies are announced in Kerala. and will be held in three stages on December 8, 10 and 14. State election commissioner V Bhaskaran announced the dates of elections. The election code of conduct will be in force from Friday, November 6 itself.

The notification will be published on November 12.

The elections commission has decided to hold elections in three stages due to coronavirus pandemic. Elections will be held on December 8 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha and Idukki. The elections in Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad and Wayanad district will be held on December 10. Elections in Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasargod district will be held on December 14. The elections will be held from 7 am to 6 pm.

Nominations can be submitted until November 19 and will be scrutinized on November 20. Meanwhile, November 23 is the last date to withdraw nominations. The votes will be counted on December 16.

Elections will be held in 941 gram panchayats, 152 block panchayats, 87 municipal councils, six municipal corporations and 14 district panchayats and the and new committee will take charge before December 25.

Over a thousand voters are allotted in each polling booth. Elections will be held within Covid parameters. Only up to five people are permitted to conduct house campaigns. Public campaigns can be held only at places identified by the district magistrate. People above 80 years of age can vote via post. Similarly, Covid patients and those under observation for the virus are permitted to vote by post.

Gloves will be provided to each voter. Those suffering from fever or health complications are permitted to vote during the last hour.