THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The dates for the local body polls are likely to be announced today or tomorrow. The Kerala High Court will be considering P C George MLA’s plea today seeking extension of the polls. The dates will be announced after this.

The decision of the commission is to release the notification soon as discussions related to elections are all completed. Polls will be held in two phases. The term of the governing body of the local bodies ends next Wednesday. The polls were postponed for a few days following the instructions of the opposition.

The election procedures will be completed before December 15 and new governing bodies will assume charge. The dates will be announced according to that. The plan is to hold the polls in two phases in alternate districts. Last time also, the polls were held in two phases. Though the commission had planned to conduct the polls in one phase this time, police said more troops will be needed to conduct the polls in accordance with the COVID protocol.

The commission had already announced the protocol to be followed during electioneering and voting. COVID patients will be permitted for postal voting. Those contracting the disease on the previous day of voting will also be given a chance to vote. As polls are being held next month, there will be administrative rule in local bodies for a month.