The Kerala High Court has directed authorities to implement webcasting and heightened security in all sensitive polling booths across the state. The directive was issued by a single bench led by Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan, who emphasized that “polling day should not become a day of war.”
The court noted that if any candidate fears the possibility of violence or disturbances at a particular booth, they have the right to request video recording of the polling process. Such a request must be submitted to the District Election Officer within three days, and permission will be granted at the candidate’s own expense.
In addition, the High Court made it clear that any candidate or polling agent facing threats to their life must be given police protection. Applications for security should be filed with the District Police Chief or the Police Commissioner within three days.
Kerala’s three-tier local body elections will take place in two phases — December 9 and 11 — followed by vote counting on December 13.
- December 9: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam
- December 11: Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasaragod
Elections will be held in 1,199 local bodies, except Mattannur, where the current term has not expired. After recent ward delimitation, the total number of wards has risen to 23,612, of which 23,576 wards will go to polls across both phases.
The High Court’s directions aim to ensure a safe, transparent, and violence-free election process across Kerala.
