Thiruvananthapuram: The public campaign for first phase of local body polls in five districts ended on Sunday. On Tuesday, 88.26 lakh voters will cast the ballot in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha and Idukki in the first phase polls. 24,584 candidates are in the fray in local bodies in five districts.
Special arrangements for polling have been made this time in view of Covid-19 situation. All polling booths for first phase elections will be disinfected on Monday. The state election commission has procured 9.1 lakh N95 masks and 6 lakh gloves will be distributed for polling officials.
2.2 lakh face shields and 3,000 reusable face shields will also be distributed to polling officials. 2.8 lakh litres of sanitizer will be used in polling booths. These materials will be distributed along with polling materials to officials from the designated centres on Monday. All polling officials have been advised to wear masks during their duty hours and shields whenever they step out of the seat for any purposes. There will be one official with sanitizer bottle at the booth to provide it to voters as they enter the booth and exit after casting their votes.
A polling station will have four polling officials, a polling assistant and a police official. The polling officials will stay at the polling booth a day ahead of elections. Disabled voters, those suffering from ailments and elderly voters aged above 70 will be spared the queue.
Election commission has warned of strict action against those indulging in sale of liquor in places where its distribution and sale have been banned as part of first phase of local body polls. 48-hour prohibition in all five districts came into effect on Sunday evening.