Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 18 (UNI) The Kerala State Election Commission has issued a notification for conducting special elections to three local body wards where polling had earlier been deferred following the death of candidates.
The polling will be held on January 12, 2026 between 7 am and 6 pm, while the counting of votes is scheduled for January 13 from 10 am.
The last date for filing nominations is December 24. Scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on December 26, and December 29 is the final date for withdrawal of candidature.
Special elections will be conducted in Payimpadam ward of Moothedam Grama Panchayat in Malappuram district, Onakkur ward of Pampakuda Grama Panchayat in Ernakulam district, and Vizhinjam ward of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation.
Candidates who were in the contest when polling was cancelled on December 9 and 11 are not required to submit fresh nomination papers.
However, those who had withdrawn their candidature before the cancellation will not be considered valid candidates and must file fresh nominations if they wish to contest again. New candidates may submit nomination papers till December 24.
The Commission also said that candidates must submit their election expenditure statements to the respective local body secretaries by February 12, 2026.
The Model Code of Conduct will remain in force in the entire Moothedam and Pampakuda Grama Panchayats, and in Vizhinjam ward alone in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation.
Polls announced in 3 local body wards after candidates’ death in Kerala
