Thiruvananthapuram: Newly elected representatives to Kerala’s local self-government institutions will formally assume office on December 21, with oath-taking ceremonies to be held across the state, State Election Commissioner A. Shajahan announced. The State Election Commission has issued detailed guidelines to ensure the smooth and timely completion of the proceedings.
According to the guidelines, the senior-most elected member or councillor will be the first to take the oath. The oath will be administered by government-authorised officials—District Collectors in corporations and district panchayats, Returning Officers in grama and block panchayats, and designated Returning Officers in municipal councils.
After taking the oath, the senior-most member will administer the oath to the remaining elected representatives. Written notices will be issued to all members regarding the ceremony. The oath-taking will begin at 10.00 am in grama panchayats, block panchayats, district panchayats and municipal councils, while corporations will begin the process at 11.30 am on December 21.
Immediately following the oath-taking, the first meeting of the newly elected body will be convened under the chairmanship of the senior-most member. During this meeting, the secretary will read out the Election Commission’s notification regarding the election of chairpersons and vice-chairpersons. District Election Officers have been directed to closely monitor the process and submit reports to the Commission.
The election of Mayors and Municipal Chairpersons will be held on December 26 at 10.30 am, followed by the election of Deputy Mayors and Vice Chairpersons at 2.30 pm. Elections to the posts of Presidents of grama, block and district panchayats are scheduled for December 27 at 10.30 am, with Vice Presidents to be elected at 2.30 pm.
The Commission clarified that a quorum of at least half of the total voting members is required to conduct the elections. If a quorum is not met, the election will be held on the next working day without requiring a quorum.
With the oath-taking and leadership elections set in motion, Kerala’s local bodies are poised to begin a new term of grassroots governance.
