Sun Dec 07 11:50:49 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:

Kerala State Election Commission Considers Expanding Postal Ballot Access for Future Local Elections

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, December 7, 2025 – Following widespread demands for increased accessibility, the Kerala State Election Commission (SEC) is planning to recommend that the state government explore expanding postal ballot options for future local body elections. Currently, only election officials are eligible to vote via postal ballot in these polls.

State Election Commissioner A. Shajahan announced the SEC’s intention after the conclusion of the 2025 local body elections, scheduled for December 9 and 11. The proposed expansion would require amendments to the Kerala Panchayat Raj Act and the Kerala Municipalities Act, aligning them more closely with the Representation of the People Act used in national elections.

“The Election Commission of India has made various categories eligible for postal ballots in line with the amendments to the Representation of the People Act. However, no such provision exists in the Kerala Panchayat Raj Act and the Kerala Municipalities Act. The SEC will ask the government to examine whether the provisions in the Representation of the People Act can be extended to these laws as well,” Mr. Shajahan said.

Several groups, including police officers on duty at the Sabarimala temple and Fire and Rescue Services personnel, previously petitioned the SEC for postal ballot access, but were denied due to current legal limitations. While postal ballots were temporarily introduced for the 2020 local elections due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a wider permanent implementation presents logistical challenges given the smaller size of panchayat and municipal wards. The SEC’s recommendation aims to address these concerns and promote greater voter participation.

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