THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora has said that the date of the Assembly elections will be decided on the basis of the CBSE exams. He was speaking after holding talks with the three main political parties and the chief secretary. In light of the Covid situation. the election will be held with strict criteria. The by-election to the Malappuram Parliamentary constituency will also be held simultaneously as PK Kunhalikutty resigned from the MP post, he said.

There are currently 2.67 crore voters in Kerala. Strict Covid protocols must be maintained when campaigning. Only five people are allowed in the house-to-house campaign. Only 1000 voters are enough in one booth. The decision on extending the voting time will be taken later. Fake news on social media and other media will be strictly controlled. Three northern districts have been identified as problematic.

The Chief Election Commissioner said that all political parties have demanded that elections be held considering the dates of Onam, Vishu, and Ramzan.

Strict security measures will be put in place there. If Bihar was able to conduct the election well during the Covid period, it will be possible in Kerala as well, Sunil Arora said.

He pointed out that Bihar is a state with twice the population of Kerala.