The police and the State Election Commission must do whatever is necessary to ensure that the upcoming local body polls are conducted smoothly in the state, while the State Superintendent of Police (SPC) and the district police chiefs concerned must arrange for live telecasts and send additional police personnel to hypersensitive and sensitive booths, the Kerala High Court ordered on Friday (December 5).
The Justice PV Kunjikrishnan Tribunal issued the directive while considering the petitions from various parts of the state, apprehending law and order problems on the election days – December 9 and 11. They further alleged that there was booth capturing and violence in some polling booths including many places in Kannur and therefore demanded webcast or video in these booths. They also sought to deploy additional police personnel.
The court said that the petitioners can, if necessary, apply for a filming permit, which must be done at their expense. They can also request police protection for candidates and their agents. On Kannur, the court said that the entire district must wake up to this election and show that it is a place where free and fair polls are conducted to remove the bad label the district has.
The representative of the government has previously stated that the SPC has taken all measures to ensure sufficient protection of all polling stations. In Kannur, 132 out of 1,304 booths have been identified as hypersensitive where live webcasting will take place. The same pattern would be adopted in all hypersensitive and sensitive booths in the state.
Published – 5 Dec 2025 22:17 IST
