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Summary:

The Kerala government has declared public holidays on December 9th and 11th, 2025, for all public offices and educational institutions, as well as paid holidays for commercial undertakings, in connection with the upcoming local self-government elections. The holidays are staggered across districts: December 9th for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, and Ernakulam, and December 11th for Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod. Government employees working outside their voting districts can avail of Other Duty status or Special Leaves. Private sector employees are also entitled to a paid holiday on the polling day, with no wage deductions.

News Article:

Kerala Announces Public and Paid Holidays for Local Body Elections

Thiruvananthapuram, December 2, 2025 – The Kerala government today declared public holidays on December 9th and 11th for all public offices and educational institutions across the state in anticipation of the upcoming local self-government (LSG) elections. Furthermore, all commercial establishments are mandated to provide paid holidays to their employees.

The holidays are geographically staggered. December 9th will be a holiday in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, and Ernakulam districts. December 11th is designated for Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod.

A government order issued by the General Administration department clarifies that government employees working outside their designated voting districts are eligible for “Other Duty” status or Special Leaves available in SPARK (excluding Casual Leave, Commuted Leave, or Earned Leave), to facilitate their participation in the elections.

The Labour Commissioner will ensure all private enterprises, including those in the IT sector and private industrial centers, comply with the mandate of providing a paid holiday to eligible employees on election day, as per the Shops and Commercial Establishment Act. It is stipulated that no wage deductions are permitted for employees taking this holiday. The ruling also applies to daily wage/casual workers who are voters of a constituency where poll is taking place.

This move is aimed at encouraging maximum voter turnout in the crucial local body elections, ensuring a robust and democratic process.

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