Maintaining that the COVID-19 patients should be allowed to vote in the upcoming election to the local bodies in Kerala, the State Election Commission has asked the government to make necessary arrangements to give proper training to the officials deputed for polls.
The elections to the local bodies are slated to be held by November first week. The new representatives will have to assume office by November 12.
The Health Department will be charting out a protocol for the officials deputed for polls. “The protocol is being given final touches and will be handed over to the Election Commission next week. The Commission will be able to start giving training after the Onam holidays,'' an official with the Health Department told THE WEEK.
The decision has been taken after many back to back meetings between various departments as a section in the government and political spectrum wanted to postpone the local body elections as the number of COVID-19 cases are expected to rise in the coming months.
For those who are in the high risk category—above 65 and those with comorbidities—the health department has suggested considering proxy votes or postal votes, the official said.
The health department will also be devising a protocol for all the political parties to be followed during the election campaign.
When asked about the risk in holding an election at a time when the number of cases is rising, the official said that democratic institutions have to function even amid calamities. “There is an element of risk; but all of us are trying our best to mitigate the possible risk factors,'' said the official.
The number of COVID-19 patients in the state continues to rise with as many as 2333 cases reported on Wednesday. It is for the first time that the state has crossed the 2000 mark. The highest number of cases was reported from Thiruvananthapuram (540), followed by Malappuram (322) and Alappuzha (230). Seven deaths also have been reported on Wednesday from the state.
Out of the 2333 cases, 2151 people have been infected through contacts. Seventeen health workers have also been infected. A total of 1217 patients got cured on Wednesday.
