Postal Ballot Distribution for Kerala Local Body Elections Begins on 26th

Thiruvananthapuram: Distribution of postal ballot papers for eligible voters engaged in local body election duties will begin on the 26th. Postal ballots will be issued upon request in the prescribed form, along with a copy of the election duty appointment order.

The application form will be available at the Returning Officer’s office as well as on the State Election Commission’s website (https://sec.kerala.gov.in/).

For the three-tier panchayat elections, three ballot papers will be issued, while for municipalities and corporations, one ballot paper each will be provided.

The Election Commission has directed District Election Officers and Returning Officers to make necessary arrangements for accepting postal ballot applications. After marking the vote, the postal ballot may be sent by post—ensuring it reaches at least seven days before polling—or it may be submitted directly.

Eligible Categories

• Persons assigned polling station duties

• All employees of the State Election Commission involved in election-related activities

• Election staff in District Election Offices, Panchayats, Municipalities, and Corporations

• Election staff in the offices of Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers

• Election Observers

• Sectoral Officers

• Officials in Anti-Defacement Squads

• Police personnel deployed for election duty

Training for Polling Staff Begins Tomorrow

Training for Presiding Officers and First Polling Officers for the local body elections will be conducted in all districts from the 25th to the 28th.

Officials who have received appointment orders must attend training at the designated centers on the specified date and time mentioned in their orders. Strict disciplinary action will be taken under election rules against those who fail to attend.

The training will include detailed sessions on polling station arrangements, procedures, and practical training on the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM).