Kerala is gearing up for crucial local body elections scheduled for December 2025, which will see voters across the state elect their representatives to various grassroots democratic institutions. The polling will be conducted in two phases, with results declared on December 13, setting the stage for political realignments ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
Polling Schedule and District Division
The State Election Commission has announced a carefully planned two-phase polling schedule. Seven southern and central districts - Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Idukki, and Ernakulam - will cast their votes on December 9, 2025. The remaining seven northern districts - Thrissur, Palakkad, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod - will exercise their franchise on December 11, 2025.
The elections will cover representatives for municipal corporations, municipalities, gram panchayats, block panchayats, and district panchayats across the state. Currently, the Model Code of Conduct is in force, ensuring a level playing field for all political parties and candidates.
Election Scale and Voter Statistics
The magnitude of these local body elections is substantial, covering 23,576 wards and divisions across Kerala. According to the state election commission's voter list published on October 25, 2025, there are approximately 2.84 crore registered voters eligible to participate in the democratic process.
Interestingly, the Election Commission of India's existing data lists 2.78 crore voters, indicating a slight discrepancy that polling officials are addressing through a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls continuing until December 4. The distribution of forms is expected to be completed by November 25, with the state's Chief Electoral Officer directing districts to ensure no overlap between SIR duties and local poll responsibilities.
Nomination Timeline and Key Dates
According to the state government notification issued on November 14, the nomination process follows a strict schedule:
- November 21: Last date for filing nominations
- November 22: Scrutiny of nominations
- November 24: Last date to withdraw candidature
- December 9 and 11: Polling days for different districts
- December 13: Results declaration
Political Significance and Historical Context
The outcome of these local body elections carries significant weight as it will shape political momentum leading up to the 2026 Assembly elections. Historical patterns show that local body results have often signaled voter mood accurately.
In both 2010 and 2015, the verdicts went against the ruling front in local body polls, and the Opposition subsequently won the Assembly elections in 2011 and 2016 respectively. The CPI(M)-led LDF had made substantial gains in the 2020 local body polls, winning five of the six municipal corporations, 514 of 941 gram panchayats, 104 of 152 block panchayats, and 10 of 14 district panchayats.
The UDF secured 45 municipalities and 377 gram panchayats, while the NDA won two municipalities and 22 gram panchayats in the previous elections. The 2025 local body polls come just a year after the Lok Sabha elections where the LDF managed to win only one seat, repeating its 2019 performance.
BJP's Strategic Push in Thiruvananthapuram
The Bharatiya Janata Party has already released its first list of 67 candidates for the Thiruvananthapuram municipal corporation, featuring prominent names like former DGP R Sreelekha and former athlete Padmini Thomas. The party, which serves as the principal Opposition in the corporation, is aiming for control of the council that comprises 101 divisions.
A victory in Thiruvananthapuram would significantly strengthen the BJP's position ahead of the Assembly elections, particularly in constituencies like Nemom, Vattiyurkkavu, and Kazhakkoottam, where the party led during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. This area has been a strong BJP pocket since the 1980s, and the party won its first Assembly seat in the state from Nemom in 2016.
Special Intensive Revision Progress
As part of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision process, election authorities have distributed one crore enumeration forms so far. The month-long process that began on November 4 is expected to gain momentum with newly appointed booth level officers joining in the coming days.
Kerala Chief Electoral Officer Dr Rathan U Kelkar has urged voters to utilize the online facility to fill out enumeration forms. Booth level officers will continue distribution until November 25, with clear instructions that BLOs are not assigned any duties linked to the local body elections, and officials involved in the polls will not handle BLO tasks. District collectors are conducting daily reviews to monitor progress and ensure smooth execution of both processes.
These local body elections represent a critical test for all major political parties in Kerala, serving as a barometer of public sentiment and potentially influencing political strategies for the upcoming Assembly elections. With intense competition expected across all levels of local governance, the December polls are poised to shape Kerala's political landscape for years to come.
