The first phase of the election that decides who should rule State’s five panchayats and corporations for the next five years will happen in five districts on December 8.
Though the Covid epidemic is looming, the state had been witnessing election frenzy and vigor.

The first phase of polling will happen in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta and Idukki districts on December 8. The second phase will take place on December 10 and the last phase on the 14th.

The vote counting is on December 16.

As the campaign in the southern districts ended on Sunday evening, all the major parties have silently started speculating – “who will be winning the election?

But they will have to wait for eight more days to know the people’s mandate.
Though there will be claims and counterclaims, the real picture will become clear only after the votes are counted.
As the contest toughens, the margin of victory will be very low.
Candidates winning by one or two votes is not an unusual thing in the LSG polls.
What is different this time is all parties have one common opponent - that is Covid pandemic.

From campaign to polling, everything will be as per strict Covid protocol.
Along with local issues, State and national issues also occupied a major place in the campaign of various political parties.
Since political controversies have become part of our life, political discussions and debates attracted apolitical persons also.
Due to 50 pc reservation for women in election, their presence and role in the LSG election have become notable.

Now, BJP has also become a very decisive factor along with the Left and Right Front in the local body elections.

While LDF thinks that it can retain power, the UDF thinks the current political circumstances will help them come back to power.
Everyone knows that since the LDF and UDF have almost equal influence in the State, every other time, one of them comes to power.
However the LSG poll mandate can’t be seen as the yardstick for the Assembly election because, local considerations and interests, as well as the personal acceptance of the candidates will greatly influence the result of the LSG polls.

Since some changes have come in the political history of the last assembly, it may show some reflections in the local body election.
Voters should see the election as an opportunity to open up their mind. All should be able to exercise their voting right discerningly and with full freedom.
It is also the prime duty of a citizen in the democratic system. Three-tier panchayats is the cornerstone of decentralisation.

Local body institutions are places where common citizens approach for all local requirements.
Some of them may be good and some may be bad. The administrative excellence of each institution will depend upon the people elected to that institutions.

Though the founders had foreseen a panchayat raj system sans politics, this is not possible in modern times. Politics has even crept into temple committees.
Whoever comes to power, if they are able to do some good to people, the land will progress.

Each region is crying for development with unending needs. The winners in election should not forget the promise they have given to people.
Voters will be happy if the winners keep at least some of the promises made.
By the way Dec 8 is the anti-corruption day. It may be coincidental that the LSG election begins on this day.
But let this day send a message to the elected.
`However, local boy institutions are not free from rumours and controversies surrounding them.
There will mostly be a story of corruption and bribery at institutions that deny people services. When the people realise this, they can only remain helpless and stunned.

Lots of guidelines for voters are being widely circulated in visual and text formats.
Since Covid is with us, voters will have to be extra careful.
Though Covid protocol was thrown to wind during campaigns, all should be ready to follow Covid protocol at least at polling stations.