THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: State election commissioner V Bhaskaran has said that he has given strong directions to follow covid 19 protocol throughout the election process. He also added that he has solved the issues erupted in Thiruvananthapuram. The issue started when polling officials crowded in front of the polling centre to get the election materials. He also said that he had sought clarification from the district collector over the issue.

Collector has informed that the issue which occurred in the morning has been resolved. Everybody should reach the polling booth without fear. The election commissioner also said that for postal ballots application should be given only in one single place.

The crowding of officials happened in the centre where election-related materials are distributed. The poll officials gathered in the centre, without giving any regard to the covid 19 protocol. The crowding occurred in the poll centre in Sarvodaya Vidyalaya in Nalanchira. Many officials had not even worn facemask. Nobody was there in this centre to give due guidelines to the poll officials. When the government itself was assuring that covid protocol will be strictly followed in the election process, the violation of the protocol by officials themselves and that too in the capital city has been a shot in the arm of government’s pre-poll preparations.