Sun Dec 28 13:23:37 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:
Summary:
The State Election Commissioner (SEC) of Kerala, A. Shajahan, announced that elections for members of the standing committees of local bodies across the state will take place between January 5th and 7th, 2026. After the election of the committee members, chairpersons will be elected. The number of committees varies by type of local body (Grama Panchayats, Block Panchayats, District Panchayats, Municipalities, and Corporations) reflecting their different responsibilities. Returning officers have been appointed to oversee the process. A notification has also been issued reserving at least one seat for women in each committee and also reserving seats for women in the chairpersons’ posts. A preferential voting system will be used if the number of candidates exceeds the number of available posts.
News Article:
Kerala to Hold Local Body Standing Committee Elections in January
Thiruvananthapuram, December 28, 2025 – Elections for members of the standing committees in Kerala’s local governing bodies are scheduled for January 5th to 7th, 2026, according to an announcement made today by State Election Commissioner (SEC) A. Shajahan. The election of committee chairpersons will follow immediately after.
The committees, crucial for overseeing various aspects of local governance, differ in number depending on the type of local body. Grama Panchayats and Block Panchayats will elect members to four committees: finance, development, welfare, and health & education. District Panchayats will have five committees: finance, development, works, welfare, and health & education. Municipalities will elect members to six panels: finance, development, welfare, health, works, and education & arts/sports. The six Corporations will elect members to eight panels: finance, development, welfare, health, works, town planning, tax appeal, and education & sports.
Returning officers have been appointed to manage the elections, with Additional District Magistrates overseeing the process in Corporations and District Panchayats. The SEC has stipulated that at least one seat on each committee, including the finance committee, is reserved for women, as well as reserving seats for the post of chairpersons.
“The elections to the reserved posts will be held first,” stated Commissioner Shajahan. A preferential voting system will be implemented in any case where the number of candidates vying for a position exceeds the available seats. The SEC hopes that these elections will promote effective and representative governance at the local level.
First Piper 