Local polls to go ahead without fresh delimitation

Thiruvanathpuaram: The cabinet has decided to bring in an ordinance to go ahead with polls shelving ward delimitation process.

This would allow the election commission to begin process for election, which is to be held in October.

The ordinance would help avoid the delimitation that otherwise will come in the way of polls.

Election commissioner V Baskaran informed the government of the difficulties caused by COVID-19 situation in the state.

It will take at least two months for both ward delimitation and renewal of voters list to happen.

Extending the polls could mean the local bodies being placed under administrative rule.

The local polls have to be held without coming in the way of assembly polls occurring in May.

Administrative rule cannot be extended beyond 6 months.  Hence, the government decided to shelve ward delimitation process.

CPM asked the government not to postpone polls.

The government had earlier decided to increase one ward in each local body.

News Summary - Local polls to go ahead without fresh delimitation