Kerala Local Body Elections: Post Offices to Operate Till 6 PM for Postal Ballots in Voting Districts

Thiruvananthapuram: The Post Master General has informed the Election Commission that post offices in districts going to polls in the second phase will remain open until 6 PM on Monday. Post offices in first-phase polling districts had already operated until 6 pm on Saturday. This extended functioning is intended to facilitate the dispatch and receipt of postal ballot applications and postal ballots.

There will be no holiday for central government institutions in Kerala on the polling days. However, employees will be allowed to arrive late, leave early, or be allotted special time during the day to cast their vote, officials clarified.

In contrast, the state government has declared a public holiday on polling days. Government offices, educational institutions, and establishments in polling districts will remain closed on the respective voting dates. Private commercial and industrial establishments must also grant a paid holiday to their employees.

There will be a public holiday on the 9th in the districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, and Ernakulam, and on the 11th in the districts of Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod.

Government employees residing in polling districts but working in non-polling districts will be granted special leave to vote. Except for Casual Leave, Commuted Leave, and Earned Leave, they may choose any other type of leave available on SPARK. Employees must produce proof of their inclusion in the voters’ list.

Private-sector employees are entitled to paid leave on polling day. The government has directed the Labour Commissioner to strictly enforce this rule across IT companies, factories, shops, and all other private establishments. Daily-wage and casual workers whose workplace is in a different district from their place of residence are also eligible for paid leave to exercise their franchise.