Kerala to Set Up 33,711 Polling Stations for Local Body Elections; Green Protocol, Inclusive Facilities Mandated

Thiruvananthapuram: A total of 33,711 polling stations will be set up across Kerala for the upcoming local body elections. Of these, 28,127 will function in grama, block, and district panchayats, 3,569 in municipalities, and 2,015 in corporations. The State Election Commissioner has issued detailed guidelines for their functioning.

Strict green protocol must be followed within and around polling stations. Local body secretariats must ensure waste is segregated and disposed according to green protocols. Polling stations must have essential facilities such as electricity, drinking water, furniture, and toilets. Waiting areas should be arranged for voters outside polling stations. Special arrangements should be made for senior citizens and differently abled individuals. Temporary ramps should be installed at polling stations where permanent ramps are unavailable. Visually challenged voters, differently abled individuals, sick individuals, and senior citizens should be allowed to vote without having to wait in queue.

Lighting and fans inside polling stations must be made fully functional on the day before polling. The commission has also suggested exploring the possibility of arranging food for polling staff with the assistance of Kudumbashree. Roads leading to polling stations, especially in remote areas, must be cleared, and premises cleaned two days prior to polling.

Assistance for visually challenged and differently abled individuals

The State Election Commission has issued specific guidelines to assist voters who are visually challenged or physically challenged to vote independently. If the presiding officer is convinced that a voter requires assistance, the voter may be accompanied by a helper aged 18 or above.

The voter’s left index finger and the helper’s right index finger will be marked with ink. A helper cannot assist more than one voter. Individuals who are differently abled must be allowed entry without having to wait in queues.