With the open campaigning for the Phase 1 of the local body polls in the State ending on Sunday (December 7, 2025), the State Election Commission has urged political parties to make sure that the celebrations marking the campaign finale are held peacefully.
The open campaigning will come to a close at 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Seven districts—Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Alappuzha, and Ernakulam—go to the polls on December 9 in the first phase.
State Election Commissioner A. Shajahan instructed the political parties to ensure that the celebrations do not obstruct the free movement of public anywhere. Mr. Shajahan has also instructed the District Collectors and the police to prevent disputes between workers of political parties and high-decibel announcements during the finale.
The requirements of the model code of conduct and the green protocol are applicable to the programmes held as part of the finale, he said.
As per Section 126(1) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, open campaigning should conclude 48 hours before the end of the polling. This condition is applicable to the local body elections also.
This time, elections to 1,199 local bodies in Kerala are held in two phases. The second phase will be held on December 11. The votes will be counted on December 13.
Published – December 05, 2025 07:48 pm IST
