THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The general election to the Local Self-Government Institutions (LSGIs) in the state has been announced by State Election Commissioner A. Shajahan. Polling will be held in two phases on December 9 and 11.
Polling will take place from 7 am to 6 pm in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, and Ernakulam districts on December 9. The remaining districts—Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod—will poll on December 11. The counting of votes will be held on December 13, the Commissioner announced at a press conference at the State Election Commission office.
Election Schedule Highlights
The Election Commission will issue the notification on November 14. The key dates are:
Last Date for Nomination: November 21
Scrutiny of Nominations: November 22
Last Date for Withdrawal of Candidature: November 24
Completion of Election Process: December 18
Institutions and Wards
The elections are being held for 23,576 wards across 1,199 Local Self-Government Institutions in the state (excluding Mattannur Municipality in Kannur, whose term ends in 2027). These institutions were formed under the Kerala Panchayat Raj and Municipality Acts of 1994, following the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments.
The number of wards increased from 21,900 to 23,612 following the delimitation process conducted by the Delimitation Commission, based on the 2011 Census population and revised member strength.
Voters and Polling Arrangements
Total Electorate: The final voter list published on October 25 includes 2,84,30,761 voters, comprising 1,34,12,470 men, 1,50,18,010 women, and 281 transgender persons.
NRI Voters: A separate list contains 2,841 NRI voters.
Polling Stations: A total of 33,746 polling stations will be set up across the state.
Voting: A voter at the Panchayat level will cast three votes (for Grama, Block, and District Panchayats), while a voter at the urban level will cast one vote (for the Municipality or Corporation).
Security: Approximately 70,000 police officers will be deployed for maintaining law and order. Additional security, including videography and webcasting, will be provided at sensitive booths.
Technology and Guidelines
EVMs: Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) manufactured by ECIL, Hyderabad, will be used. Tripartite Panchayats will use one Control Unit and three Ballot Units per polling station.
Model Code of Conduct (MCC): The MCC has come into force across all LSGIs. It prohibits campaigning based on caste, community, or language, and the use of religious places. Ministers/MPs/MLAs are barred from using their official position for campaigning or announcing new schemes.
Candidate Expenditure: The maximum expenditure allowed for a candidate is: ₹25,000 (Grama Panchayat), ₹75,000 (Block Panchayat & Municipality), and ₹1,50,000 (District Panchayat & Corporation). Failure to submit expense details within 30 days of the result can lead to disqualification for five years.
Holidays & Dry Day: A holiday will be granted to all government and public sector employees on the day of polling. A ban on the sale of alcohol (Dry Day) will be enforced 48 hours before polling ends, and on the counting day. (keralaNews.gov)
For more details: Navamalayalam.com
