Thiruvananthapuram: The state election commission has declared that it will complete the elections to local bodies before December 31.
As per the proceedings issued by SEC chairman V Bhaskaran, the commission has decided to hold elections to municipal corporations, municipalities and panchayats at all levels in a manner to complete the entire election process to all constituencies at the earliest, before December 31. Bhaskaran said that the detailed election schedule will be published at the time of announcement of elections.
The term of all local bodies except Mattannur expires on November 11 and general elections ought to have been held before November 11 so that the new members could be in office on November 12. However, in an all-party meeting convened by SEC in September, majority of political parties requested the commission to postpone the elections considering the Covid-19 situation in the state.
Bhaskaran said in the proceedings that the commission has taken all preparation for the timely completion of elections before the expiry of five-year tenures of the present councils and committees. However, the commission decided to defer the appointment of dates for nominations to a date after November 11 due to extraordinary circumstances that exist in the state due to Covid-19.
The additional list of voters who applied for inclusion in electoral rolls on Saturday will be published on November 10.
SEC will hold a meeting with the state police chief on November 2 to finalize the conduct of elections. SEC will check on the availability of police force and expenses required in mobilization and this will also determine the schedule of elections. A meeting with district collectors and chief secretary is likely to be held on November 4 or 5.
The cabinet is likely to approve the formation of administrative committees in local bodies on November 4. In district panchayats and civic bodies, district collector, secretary of civic body and engineering officials of LSGD concerned shall constitute the administrative committee. In panchayats, secretary, LSGD engineering official and officials of agriculture department will form the committee.