Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 8 (UNI) Kerala is gearing up for the first phase of the 2025 local-body elections on December 9, with seven districts preparing to go to the polls.
The state is in the final stages of readiness as officials inspect polling stations, deploy staff, and implement security measures ahead of the crucial civic elections.
The polls will be conducted in two phases, on December 9 and December 11, across 1,199 of the state’s 1,200 local bodies. The lone exception is Mattannur Municipality in Kannur, where elections will only be held in 2027.
In the first phase, voters in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, and Ernakulam will cast their ballots between 7 am and 6 pm. Counting of votes is scheduled for December 13.
This year, 75,644 candidates are in the fray statewide, including 39,609 women, 36,034 men, and one transgender candidate. Women constitute over 52 percent of the total contestants, marking a notable rise from the previous election and reinforcing the state’s ongoing push for gender representation in governance.
The ballot also features 149 candidates aged 21, the minimum age for contesting, indicating increased youth interest in public service. Kerala’s updated electoral rolls list approximately 2.84 crore registered voters.
District administrations have confirmed that polling stations are fully equipped with basic amenities such as seating and drinking water, along with special arrangements to support differently-abled voters.
Pink booths staffed entirely by women, feeding rooms for mothers, play areas for children, and youth-managed booths are part of the state’s inclusivity initiatives.
Public holidays have been declared on both polling days to enable maximum voter participation, and a 48-hour dry day has been enforced to maintain law and order around election time.
The updated voter rolls reflect the latest ward delimitation, and authorities have urged citizens to verify their details, including the SEC-issued nine-digit voter ID, before heading to the polls. Provisions have also been made to support Non-Resident Indian voters eligible to participate in the elections.
The Kerala High Court has issued guidelines to ensure smooth and transparent polling. Selected booths will have live webcasting, while additional police personnel will be deployed in sensitive areas.
Videography of polling procedures will be permitted upon request. District collectors, acting as chief election officers in their respective regions, have confirmed that all EVMs, polling materials, and security arrangements are in place.
The local-body elections are widely regarded as vital to shaping the next five years of grassroots governance, with outcomes directly affecting everyday civic services such as waste management, water supply, sanitation, and road maintenance.
As Kerala enters the final stretch of preparations, authorities have urged citizens to turn out in large numbers and actively participate in strengthening local democracy.
Kerala set for first phase of local body polls on Tuesday
