Fri Apr 11 12:50:35 UTC 2025: ## Kerala to Establish Permanent Polling Booths Ahead of 2026 Elections
**Thiruvananthapuram, April 11, 2025** – Kerala will implement a new system of permanent polling booths ahead of the 2026 Legislative Assembly elections, eliminating the need for temporary auxiliary booths. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has mandated a maximum of 1,200 voters per booth.
This decision follows a successful pilot program in Nilambur constituency, where 59 new permanent booths were added, bringing the total to 263. The initiative, developed in consultation with political parties, aims to reduce voter wait times and streamline the electoral process.
The move will significantly alter the state’s polling infrastructure. During the 2021 Assembly elections, Kerala utilized 40,771 booths, with 15,730 being auxiliary. The previous limit of 1,000 voters per booth was implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Malappuram and Thiruvananthapuram districts had the highest number of auxiliary booths. The 2024 Lok Sabha elections saw a different limit of 1,500 voters per booth.
Chief Electoral Officer Rathan Kelkar confirmed that while the statewide implementation hasn’t begun, there is sufficient time to complete the process before the 2026 elections. The new system aims to create a more efficient and accessible voting experience for all Keralites.
First Piper 