The distribution of election materials to different areas for local body elections has begun in the district. Of the 981 wards, elections will be held in 978 wards. In Devikulam and Vattavada grama panchayats, two candidates have been elected unopposed and election to the Kallar division of Adimaly block panchayat has been postponed due to the death of a candidate.
District Collector V. Ratheesan, who is also the chief electoral officer, said on Tuesday that there would be 1,453 polling stations and basic facilities had already been arranged. There would be 10 counting stations, he said adding that each polling station would have four polling officers.
Security arrangements would be strengthened in the 60 polling stations which were considered sensitive. Web cameras would be set up and more police officers would be posted there, he said.
There would be strict monitoring in the border areas to prevent smuggling of liquor and narcotic items, he said. In the remotest polling station of Edamalakkudy, Forest Department officers would also be on polling duty, he said.
