The elections to local self-government institutions in Kerala will be conducted in two phases on December 9 and 11, as officially declared by State Election Commissioner A. Shajahan during a press conference on Monday. This significant electoral exercise encompasses 23,576 wards across 1,199 local bodies, including grama panchayats, municipalities, and corporations. Political observers regard these polls as a critical barometer of public sentiment ahead of the 2026 Legislative Assembly elections.

The model code of conduct has come into immediate effect following the announcement, imposing strict restrictions on government functionaries and political entities. No new projects can be sanctioned, and public resources cannot be utilized for electoral gains. Enforcement mechanisms, including flying squads and video surveillance units, have been deployed statewide to monitor adherence and curb violations.

Nomination papers may be submitted until November 21, with scrutiny scheduled for November 22 and the last date for withdrawal set as November 24. This condensed timeline is expected to witness intense political activity, including candidate selections, alliance negotiations, and management of internal dissent within major fronts. The mandatory 50 percent reservation for women is anticipated to introduce a substantial number of first-time contestants.

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Polling in the first phase on December 9 will cover seven districts in southern Kerala: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Idukki, Ernakulam, and Kottayam. The second phase on December 11 will include the remaining seven northern districts: Thrissur, Palakkad, Wayanad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasaragod. More than 34,000 polling stations will be established, featuring webcasting in vulnerable booths and dedicated pink polling stations operated exclusively by women personnel.

Counting of votes is scheduled for December 13, with the entire election process mandated to conclude by December 18. The outcomes are likely to influence local governance structures significantly and may foreshadow shifts in political alignments at the state level in the coming years.

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