Thiruvananthapuram: Public campaigning for the first phase of the Kerala local body elections will end on December 7 at 6 PM, State Election Commissioner A. Shajahan has announced. The restriction applies to the districts where polling is scheduled for December 9 — Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, and Ernakulam.
The Election Commissioner instructed that the final-day campaign events conducted by political parties must remain peaceful and should not lead to any law-and-order issues. He stressed that no campaign activity should obstruct public movement, especially during the last leg of electioneering.
Strict directions have been issued to District Collectors and Police officials to control potential clashes, challenges between party workers, loud announcements without sound regulation, and the growing trend of blaring campaign songs in competitive fashion.
Candidates and political parties must ensure that they fully adhere to the Model Code of Conduct and the Green Protocol during the campaign’s final hours.
As per Section 126(1) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, all public campaigning must stop 48 hours before polling concludes. This rule is equally applicable to the local body elections in the state.
