Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 17 (PTI) Health experts in Kerala have given the green signal for holding the local body polls, which are now likely to be held by October end by strictly adhering to COVID-19 protocols.

The new committees will have to assume office by mid November.

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"Health department and health experts have given the green signal for holding of the local body polls," State Election Commissioner V Bhaskaran told reporters here.

COVID-19 protocols will have to be strictly maintained and the health department will provide separate advisories for officials,political parties and voters, he said.

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The commission has sought Rs 15 crore additional assistance from the government to put in place the facilities advised by the state health department.

Polling will be extended by one hour and each booth will have a maximum of 800 voters.

The extension of polling time would ensure that there is no overcrowding.

Physicaldistancing should be maintained properly.

The commission has held discussions with the Director of Health Services,health department officials and medical experts on holding the polls and they have given the go ahead, providedthehealth protocol is strictlymaintained, he said.

"We held discussions with medical department officials and health experts on whether polls can be held by adhering to COVID-19 protocol.

They took a positive stand", he said, adding the poll schedule and election date would be decided after further consultations with all stakeholders.

There will be more discussions with health experts on each aspect of conduct of the election and a final datewould be announced only after that.

The commission will soon call a meeting of all political parties, Bhaskaran said.

For houseto house campaigns, political parties should not send more than two to three people.

Meanwhile, the commission has decided to go ahead with training of officials and the second round updationof voters list.

Except in Mattannur Municipality, about 2.62 crore voters will select representatives to 941 village councils, 152 blocks, 14 district panchayats, 85 municipalities and six municipal corporations.

The election process will have to be completed by November11.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)