THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After a month-long high decibel poll campaign, today all political parties have begun silent campaign. Since today morning, all candidates are on the run to ensure their votes at the last minute. When some are meeting the important persons in the constituency to ensure their votes, some others are visiting each and every voter in their area. As this election are crucial for all fronts, political parties are busy with their last-minute evaluations to ensure votes. In many centres, the distribution of polling materials has begun. In many centres, a huge rush is witnessed violations of covid protocol.

When the ruling front, which is banking on the goodwill of numerous development projects, and opposition, which is projecting the various scandals and the latest double votes controversy to seek votes, are facing each other, Kerala voters will decide tomorrow their destiny on Tuesday.

LDF and CPM which is seeking a mandate for another term will face a dead end if they lose polls. CPM whose footprint is only limited in Kerala might even lose the tag of a national party if they lose the Kerala assembly elections. On the other hand for UDF and Congress, if people do not vote for a change, it might be a huge setback. Whereas, for BJP it is their last chance to maintain their negligible presence in Kerala.

Even though the commission has banned the final phase of the campaign (Kalashakottu), considering the covid 19 situation in the state, the last hours of the campaign witnessed roadshows and processions raising enthusiasm among the workers until the last minute. 2,74,46,039 voters from 140 constituencies are participating in the polls this time which includes 1,41,62,025 women and 1,32,83,724 men. The voter’s list also includes 290 transgenders. 40,771 polling stations have been put in place. 957 candidates are in the poll fray.

Considering the covid 19 situation in the state, the voting time is from morning 7 am to evening 7 pm. Facilities have been put in place for covid patients and those in the primary contact list to cast votes in the last one hour of polling. The vote counting is on May 2nd. As part of Covid security protocols, elaborate security arrangements have been put in place. Postal ballot facility is available for those above 80, people with other disabilities, Covid patients, those in the primary contact list and also for polling officials.