Bengaluru: With the possibility of third wave of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic looming large, the State Cabinet has decided not to hold Zilla Panchayat (ZP) and Taluk Panchayat (TP) polls at least till December. 

However, the Cabinet has approved  the conduct  of Presidential and office-bearer polls for Co-operative Societies, Banks, other Societies and Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs).

Announcing this to press persons after the Cabinet meeting on Thursday, Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai said that there will be no ZP and TP polls which were due in April-May until December in view of  the pandemic.

However, the election for Presidential and office-bearer posts in Co-operative Bodies will be allowed with all COVID appropriate behaviour and other Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in place.

The Home Minister said that this decision was based on an earlier Cabinet decision not to hold polls until the pandemic eased to a large extent. He further said that there will be no elections to any Local Bodies until further Government orders.