The special elections to three local self-government wards, which were postponed following the demise of candidates, will be held on January 12. Polling will take place from 7.00 am to 6.00 pm, while vote counting will begin at 10.00 am on January 13.
Nominations can be submitted up to December 24. Scrutiny of nomination papers will be conducted on December 26, and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is December 29, the Election Commission announced.
The special elections will be conducted in Payimpadam ward of Moothedam Grama Panchayat in Malappuram district, Onakkur ward of Pampakuda Grama Panchayat in Ernakulam district, and Vizhinjam ward of Thiruvananthapuram Corporation.
Candidates who were in the fray at the time the earlier polls scheduled on December 9 and 11 were cancelled need not submit fresh nomination papers. However, those who wish to file new nominations may do so up to December 24. The Commission clarified that candidates who had already submitted notices for withdrawal before the cancellation of the earlier election will not be considered valid candidates now. Such individuals will have to file fresh nominations if they wish to contest again.
All candidates must submit their election expenditure statements by February 12, 2026, to the respective secretaries of the local self-government institutions. The Model Code of Conduct will be in force fully in Moothedam and Pampakuda Grama Panchayats, and only in the Vizhinjam ward of Thiruvananthapuram Corporation.
