Kerala Local Body Elections to Be Held in Two Phases; Counting on December 13

Thiruvananthapuram: Local body elections across Kerala will be conducted in two phases, with polling scheduled for December 9 and 11. The counting of votes will take place on December 13. This marks a change from the previous elections, which were held in three phases.

Out of the 1,200 local self-government institutions in the state, elections will be held for 1,199 bodies, with the exception of Mattannur Municipality. The Model Code of Conduct has already come into effect across the entire state, including Mattannur.

State Election Commissioner A. Shajahan officially announced the election schedule. Polling hours will be from 7 AM to 6 PM on both election days.

In the first phase, on December 9, elections will be held in the districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, and Ernakulam.

For the second phase, on December 11, districts including Thrissur, Wayanad, Palakkad, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Kannur, and Kasaragod will go to the polls. The official notification for the elections will be issued on November 14. The last date for submitting nominations is November 21, followed by scrutiny on November 22. Candidates will have until November 24 to withdraw their nominations.