22.5 Lakh Voters Set to Decide Kollam Local Body Polls
22.5 Lakh Voters Set to Decide Kollam Local Body Polls
Kollam gears up for local body elections on Dec 9 with over 22.5 lakh voters, detailed EVM setup, and robust security and logistics.
Kollam district is primed for local body elections on December 9, spanning 1,698 constituencies across 85 Local Self-Government Institutions. The voting will cover 68 grama panchayats, 11 block panchayats, four municipalities, Kollam Corporation, and the district panchayats, with public campaigning having ended on December 7 at 6 p.m. The final voters’ list totals 22,54,848, comprising 10,43,920 men, 12,10,905 women, 23 transgender voters, and 48 expatriates.
Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for grama panchayats are configured with one control unit and three ballot units, arranged in the order of grama panchayat, block panchayat, and district panchayat. For municipalities and the Corporation, each unit uses one control unit and one ballot unit, with each ballot unit capable of accommodating up to 15 candidates. A substantial deployment plan includes 7,422 ballot units and 2,730 control units, with reserve units ready for deployment.
Election duty will be carried out by 13,056 officials, including 3,264 presiding officers, 3,264 first polling officers, and 6,528 polling officers. The staff comprises 4,016 men and 9,040 women. Polling booths total 2,720 across the 1,698 wards, with 16 centers designated for distributing and collecting election material and for counting votes.
Logistics are robust: 1,161 vehicles—buses, minibuses, cars, and jeeps—will transport personnel and materials. Webcasting facilities have been arranged for 61 sensitive polling booths to ensure transparency and security. A mock poll is scheduled for 6 a.m. on polling day as part of the pre-election readiness checks.
The scale of preparation underscores a structured approach to local governance, with emphasis on orderly distribution of materials, clear ballot-unit configurations, and a comprehensive staffing plan designed to manage a large turnout. As voters prepare to cast ballots across multiple local bodies, officials aim to ensure a smooth, secure, and fair process that reflects the region’s diverse civic interests.
Cover image source: Local body polls too complex to be a referendum on LDF government in Kerala 🔗
