Kerala Local Body Elections 2025: State Gears Up for Decisive Two-Phase Polling on December 9 and 11

Kerala Local Body Elections 2025: Kerala is set for one of its largest democratic exercises as the 2025 Local Body Elections approach, scheduled in two phases on December 9 and 11. With polling spread across all districts except Mattannur Municipality—which is exempt due to its extended term—the state has declared public holidays, prepared thousands of polling stations, finalized candidate lists, and tightened enforcement mechanisms to ensure smooth, fair, and transparent elections. 

Counting will be held on December 13, making this a crucial political event just months before the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections.

Key Takeaways: Kerala Local Body Elections 2025 — Dates, Holidays, Voters, Wards, and New Rules

• Polling will take place in two phases: December 9 and 11, covering 1,199 local bodies out of 1,200 across Kerala.
  
• Counting of votes on December 13 with real-time updates via the TREND software.
  
• Statewide public holidays declared district-wise on polling days for government and private sector employees.
  
• Central government employees will NOT get a holiday, but will receive short leave allowances to vote.
  
• A total of 23,576–23,612 wards will go to polls, contested by 75,632–75,643 candidates (as per official updates from different bodies).
  
• 33,746 polling stations set up, with EVMs supplied and tested by ECIL, Hyderabad.
  
• 2.84 crore voters (including NRI voters) registered; the voter list published on October 25.
  
• Strict Anti-Defection Act enforcement with a 6-year contesting ban for violators.
  
• Campaigning for Phase 1 ended with massive rallies, roadshows, and district-wide political activity.
  
• A 48-hour liquor ban will be enforced prior to polling and until completion of vote counting.
  
• Postal ballot processes strengthened, with post offices open until December 8 for ballot dispatch.
  

Kerala Declares District-Wise Public Holidays for Smooth Polling

To ensure maximum voter turnout and seamless election management, the Kerala government has declared public holidays on December 9 and 11, distributed district-wise based on polling phases. All government offices, schools, colleges, and public institutions will remain closed. Private commercial establishments have been ordered to grant paid holidays to their employees.

Holiday on December 9 (Phase 1 Districts):

• Thiruvananthapuram
  
• Kollam
  
• Pathanamthitta
  
• Alappuzha
  
• Kottayam
  
• Idukki
  
• Ernakulam
  

Holiday on December 11 (Phase 2 Districts):

• Thrissur
  
• Palakkad
  
• Malappuram
  
• Kozhikode
  
• Wayanad
  
• Kannur
  
• Kasaragod
  

Schools functioning as polling booths will remain closed for two days to accommodate pre- and post-poll arrangements.

Central Government Employees: No Holiday Granted for Polling Days

In a major clarification, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) informed the Kerala State Election Commission that central government offices and industrial establishments will not receive a holiday on election days.

However, registered central government voters will receive:

• Permission to come late
  
• Early departure
  
• Short absences
  

This ensures they can still cast their vote without major disruptions to essential services.

Also Read: Delhi MCD Election Results 2025: BJP Takes Lead with 7 Wins as AAP, Congress and AIFB Mark Their Presence

Daily wage employees, IT staff, and workers of private establishments are mandated to receive paid leave to ensure equal opportunity for all voters.

Polling Arrangements: Stations, EVMs, and Technology Integration

Kerala has finalized extensive preparations for a smooth electoral process:

Polling Stations

A massive 33,746 polling stations will operate across the state, including:

• 28,127 panchayat ward stations
  
• 3,604 municipal stations
  
• 2,015 corporation stations
  

Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs)

EVMs have been sourced and tested by Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL), Hyderabad:

• 50,693 control units
  
• 1,37,922 ballot units
  

Digital tools deployed include:

• Electoral Roll Management System
  
• E-Drop app (official tracking)
  
• TREND (real-time counting updates)
  
• Poll Manager (monitoring by district officers)
  
• Nomination Management System
  
• EVM Tracking System
  

A mock poll will be conducted at 6 AM on polling day across all stations.

Voter List and Enumeration Updates

The final voter list published on October 25 includes 2,84,30,761 voters, categorized as:

• 1,34,12,470 men
  
• 1,50,18,010 women
  
• 281 transgender individuals
  

NRI voters: 2,841 (2,484 men, 357 women)

The Election Commission of India has extended the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) timeline:

• Voter enumeration deadline: December 18
  
• Draft electoral roll: December 23
  
• Claims/objections period: till January 22, 2026
  
• Final electoral roll release: February 21, 2026
  

Ward & Candidate Details: One of Kerala’s Largest Local Polls

Kerala will witness elections across:

• 941 grama panchayats
  
• 152 block panchayats
  
• 14 district panchayats
  
• 86 municipalities
  
• 6 corporations
  

A total of:

• 23,576–23,612 wards,
  
• 75,632–75,643 candidates are contesting.
  

(Discrepancies in counts come from multiple official sources provided across your news chunks, all included without alteration.)

Mattannur Municipality in Kannur is the only local body not participating, as its term expires in September 2027.

Campaigning Ends with High Electoral Energy Across Kerala

Campaigning for the first phase concluded on Sunday evening with vibrant displays of political mobilisation across seven districts. Roadshows, foot marches, bike rallies, drum processions, and crane-mounted speeches dominated the last campaign day.

Campaign Highlights:

• LDF showcased development, welfare schemes, infrastructure expansion, and a decade of governance stability.
  
• UDF struggled with internal issues and controversies, including the expulsion of Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkoottathil following sexual assault allegations.
  
• BJP faced organizational challenges and limited local influence.
  

Election Commissioner A. Shajahan instructed parties to avoid public obstruction and reviewed polling preparations at the Mar Ivanios distribution centre. District collectors were directed to maintain order, regulate announcements, and control disputes.

Security Measures and Liquor Ban Ahead of Polling

A 48-hour liquor ban will remain in force from two days before polling until the completion of counting, ensuring a peaceful and controlled polling environment.

Postal ballot facilities have been reinforced, with post offices open until 6 PM on December 8 for receiving and dispatching postal ballot applications.

Spiritual Insight: Understanding the Unique Knowledge Shared by Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj

As Kerala prepares for a crucial civic exercise, many citizens also turn toward spiritual guidance to gain clarity during significant societal moments. The unique knowledge of Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj, rooted in scriptures and centered on peace, equality, and righteous conduct, encourages individuals to make informed and responsible decisions in public life. 

His teachings emphasize moral discipline, truthfulness, and social harmony—principles that align with the spirit of participatory democracy and collective welfare. This perspective offers a reflective dimension as voters engage in shaping the future of local governance.

Kerala Waits for a Defining Local Verdict

As the state prepares to vote across two crucial polling dates, Kerala is poised for a decisive verdict on local governance. With heightened political engagement, strict enforcement of rules, district-wide holidays, and substantial administrative coordination, the 2025 local body elections are expected to influence public mood ahead of next year’s Assembly elections. 

The outcome, to be declared on December 13, will reflect Kerala’s evolving political landscape and voters’ assessment of development, governance, and grassroots leadership.

FAQs on Kerala Local Body Elections 2025

1. When will the Kerala Local Body Elections 2025 be held?

The elections will be conducted in two phases on December 9 and 11, 2025, with counting scheduled on December 13.

2. Which districts have holidays on Kerala local election days?

Seven districts have holidays on December 9 and the remaining seven on December 11, based on their polling schedule.

3. Will central government employees get a holiday on polling days?

No. Central government staff will not get a holiday but may take short leave to cast their vote.

4. How many voters and candidates are participating in Kerala local polls 2025?

Over 2.84 crore voters and about 75,600 candidates will participate across more than 23,500 wards.

5. What major rules will be enforced during Kerala local body elections?

The Anti-Defection Act, a 48-hour liquor ban, paid leave for private employees, and strict model code of conduct will be enforced.