Kasaragod: A comprehensive election e-book containing everything you need to know about the local body elections in the district can be downloaded for free. The e-book prepared by the District Information Office has been released by District Collector Dr. D Sajith Babu.

District Panchayat, Block Panchayat Division Grama Panchayats, Wards and Candidates, Number of Local Self Government Voters, Rules to be observed at the Polling Booth for Green Elections, Identification Documents to be Presented at the Polling Booth by Voters, How to Go to the Polling Booth and Record the Voting Polling Day The e-book contains guidelines for media persons, various nodal officers appointed in connection with elections and basic election information in the district. The colorful pictures and excellent layout are the charms of the book.
The e-book can be read at https://online.flippingbook.com/view/238165/ and in the e-book category on the PRD Live mobile application.

Kochi: CM’s Additional Private Secretary CM Raveendran, who is undergoing treatment at the Medical College Hospital, will be discharged today. The decision to take rest was made by the medical board. The medical board has recommended a week’s rest.
Raveendran was admitted to the hospital due to health problems after COVID-19. Meanwhile, ED had sent three notices to Raveendran to appear for questioning. But he was admitted three times citing health issues.

Thiruvananthapuram: Five districts in the state will go to the polls tomorrow in the first phase of local body elections. The first phase of elections will be held in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, and Idukki districts. All preparations have been completed for the vote to meet the Covid norms. 88 lakh people will go to the polls to exercise their right to vote. The election campaign ended yesterday. Today is a silent campaign. The campaign ended without a ‘Kottikkalasam’ (campaign ending function) as the Covid crisis persisted.

In the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, there is a fierce struggle between the three fronts. However, in the Thiruvananthapuram District Panchayat, it is a direct link between the LDF and the UDF. The LDF has been actively campaigning for the retention of the holding corporation, four municipalities, and the district panchayat. The UDF campaign was aimed at gaining power in the district, block, and gram panchayats. The BJP has high hopes for the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation and the 15-gram panchayats in the district.

In Kollam district, the announcement of candidates could be completed at first, but the insurgency is a headache for the UDF. It remains to be seen whether the LDF will be able to maintain its resounding victory in the last election. Problems between the CPM and the CPI are troubling the Front in Kollam.

It is also being looked into whether the Kerala Congress Jose K. Mani faction, which joined the Left Front, will prove its strength in Pathanamthitta and Idukki. This is crucial for the Jose faction as it is the first election since the LDF’s entry. At the same time, the victory of the Joseph faction of the Kerala Congress is a matter of pride for the UDF. In most parts of Alappuzha, it is a direct battle between the LDF and the UDF.

Thiruvananthapuram: The District Collector informed that special ballots have been sent by post. It must be returned before counting begins. The District Collector Navjot Khosa said that special postal ballots for the Covid patients and those living in the quarantine have been mailed to their addresses.

At present, those on the certified list are given a special postal ballot by the Special Polling Officer at their place of residence. But in some areas, it is difficult to find voters and cast ballots. Following this, the Special Postal Ballot will be sent by post as per the directions of the Election Commission.

The ballot papers will be mailed to the addresses of special voters who are unable to deliver the ballot papers directly. No special application is required for this. Ballots can be mailed to those who have not yet received the special ballots included in the Certified List. The envelope containing the ballot will contain the application form (Form 19B), Affidavit (Form 16), ballot paper, and ballot paper envelopes. After filling and signing the application form, the affidavit should be attested by the Gazetted Officer or the Health Officer in charge of Special Polling Officers (Junior Health Inspector at the concerned Primary Health Center).

After the vote is recorded, the ballot must be placed in a small envelope. The application form, small cover, and attested affidavit should be affixed on the large cover. The Collector said in a press conference that these should be delivered by post or any other person to the concerned Returning Officer before 8 am on December 16 (before the counting of votes begins).