Kerala Prepares for Crucial Local Elections: 72,000 Candidates in the Fray, with Women Forming a Strong Share of Contestants

Kerala is set for its 2025 local body elections, one of the largest civic electoral exercises in India, with polling on December 9 and 11, and counting on December 13. A total of 1,199 local bodies will go to polls, deciding leadership across panchayats, municipalities, and corporations that directly shape day-to-day life in the state.

What’s at Stake

Kerala voters will elect representatives for:

• 941 grama panchayats

• 152 block panchayats

• 14 district panchayats

• 86 municipalities

• 6 corporations

Altogether, 23,576 wards will be contested by an electorate of 2.84 crore voters, including registered NRIs.

This year’s election follows a major ward delimitation exercise, which has redrawn boundaries and increased the number of wards—reshaping political equations across many regions.

Key Dates

• December 9: Polling in southern and central districts

• December 11: Polling in northern districts

• December 13: Counting of votes

Trends Shaping This Election

Over 72,000 candidates are in the fray, with women forming a strong share of contestants. Grassroots social-sector workers, especially the Haritha Karma Sena, have emerged as popular candidates, reflecting a shift toward community-based representation.

Urban voters appear increasingly focused on practical civic issues, especially waste management, clean drinking water, and public spaces—areas where many municipalities have struggled.

NRI Voter Requirements

While Kerala has a dedicated overseas voters list, NRI voters must be physically present in Kerala at their home polling booth to cast their vote.
There is no postal voting, proxy voting, or overseas voting for local body or assembly elections.
NRIs must carry the required identity documents—typically their original passport.

Why This Election Matters for the Diaspora

For UK-based Malayalis, local body election outcomes influence:

• Quality of life for family members living in Kerala

• Property values and infrastructure around hometowns

• Long-term plans to settle or retire in Kerala

• Local services such as sanitation, water supply, and healthcare

Local Polls as a Predictor of the 2026 Assembly Election

Kerala’s political history over the past three decades shows a clear pattern:
the front that performs strongly in the local body elections often goes on to win the subsequent state assembly election.

Local polls are therefore widely considered a prelude to the assembly elections.

With the Kerala Legislative Assembly election scheduled for April 2026—where 140 MLAs will be elected—the 2025 civic polls take on added significance.

Current political observers note that:

• Sentiment against the LDF government is stronger this time, and the impact may become clearer in the 2026 assembly poll.

• However, the LDF traditionally performs well in local body elections, giving them structural advantages at the grassroots level.

• The results of the December local polls will offer the first clear indication of the mood heading into 2026.

Looking Ahead

The 2025 local elections are expected to set the tone for Kerala’s political landscape over the next five years. For Malayalis in the UK, staying informed helps maintain a real connection to developments back home—whether for family, heritage, or future plans.