THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The dates for the polls to local bodies have been announced. The election commission has decided to conduct the polls in three phases. The first phase will be held on December 8. Polls in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha and Idukki will be held on December 8. Polls in Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad and Wayanad will be held on December 10 and on 14 in Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasargod. Votes will be counted on December 16. The model code of conduct has come into effect.

The polls will be from 7 am to 6 pm. The election notification will be published on November 12. Candidates can file nominations till November 19. Scrutiny of the nominations will be on November 20. The last date for withdrawing the nominations is November 23. The picture of the candidates will be clear on that day. As soon as the votes are counted on December 14, the new governing panel will assume charge before Christmas.

Election commissioner said the state police chief has informed for the smooth conduct of the polling. Had held talks with the chief secretary and health secretary in connection with election work. He said they had garnered the opinion of various political parties and the government in conducting the polls amidst COVID fear.

The final voters list for the polls were announced on October 1. An electorate of 2,71,20,823 will decide the fate of the candidates contesting the elections. Women (1,41,94,775) outnumber men (1,29,25,766) on the final voters’ list published. The list also has 282 transgender persons. Those who could not be added to the list were given four days from October 27. The renewed list will be published on November after adding them.

Break the Chain policy will be implemented in polling stations. Sanitizers will be distributed outside the polling station. Masks have to be removed before the polling officer to identify the voters. Arrangements will be made for COVID patients and those in quarantine to cast votes. Must apply for postal vote three days in advance.

Polls are for 1199 local bodies in the state. Elections are for 15,962 wards in 941 grama panchayats, 2,080 wards in 152 block panchayats, 331 wards in 14 district panchayats, 3,078 wards in 86 municipalities and 414 wards in six municipal corporations. Polls will be held in 21,865 wards. The polling will be held in strict compliance with COVID protocol, state election commission V Bhaskaran told the media.

There are 34,744 polling stations in the state. Checking of electronic voting machines will be completed before November 10.