THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Open campaigning will come to a close at 6 pm today in the five districts that go to the polls in the first phase of the local body polls on December 8. The state election commission has prohibited jamboree (Kottikalasham) which marks the end of open campaigning in view of COVID-19. State election commissioner V Bhaskaran said that in the present situation Kottikalasham cannot be permitted as before. A crowd at public places will not be allowed, he said.

There have been no complaints of serious violations and only minor complaints have been received. All these are being resolved at the district and taluk level in a timely manner. All political parties cooperated with the commission during COVID times. The campaign was conducted in compliance with COVID guidelines. Some minor violations will be rectified by the district collector. All arrangements for the elections are complete. Polling materials will be distributed on December 7. Masks, face shields, gloves and sanitizers will be distributed to the officers along with it.

The election commissioner said postal voting would be allowed for those on the list prepared till 3 pm on the previous day of polling for COVID positives and those in quarantine. Attempts are being made to send the ballot papers to them. Those who become COVID positive or in quarantine after 3 pm the day before polling will be allowed to come to the polling station and vote. They must arrive at the polling booth before 6 pm wearing a PPE kit. They can vote after the others have cast their ballots. Polling officials and polling agents should wear a PPE kit before they enter the booths. The PPE kit will be distributed with the help of the health department. He said the waste, including PPE kits used for polling, would be handled by the respective local bodies.