Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 5 (UNI) The Kerala State Election Commission has announced that 1,803 voters and 41 candidates will take part in the upcoming local body poll in Idamalakkudi, Kerala’s only exclusively Scheduled Tribe village panchayat, located in Idukki district.
After delimitation, Idamalakkudi now comprises 14 wards, including the newly added Kavakkattukudi ward, all reserved for Scheduled Tribes. Of the total electorate, 893 are women, and 910 are men.
This year’s contest includes 20 women and 21 men candidates. Seven wards: Meenkuthikudi, Nooraadikudi, Parappayarkudi, Thekke Idalipparakudi, Societykudi, Ambalappadikudi, and Kavakkattukudi, are reserved for women.
A team of 56 polling officials will be deployed across the 14 booths. Since its formation as a separate panchayat in 2010, carved out from a ward under Munnar grama panchayat, elections in Idamalakkudi have always involved long, difficult treks through forest terrain for polling teams carrying election materials.
Anticipating weather-related challenges, the Commission will appoint seven sectoral assistants to ensure better coordination. Temporary fencing will be arranged at polling booths, and the Forest Department’s Rapid Response Team will assist in maintaining a safe and smooth voting process.
Kerala’s only tribal panchayat Idamalakkudi to witness 41-candidate contest among 1,803 voters
