The Kerala government has announced public and paid holidays across the State on 9 and 11 December 9 in connection with the upcoming elections to local self-government bodies. The two dates have been designated as holidays for government offices, educational institutions, and commercial establishments, depending on the district in which polling is scheduled.
As per the revised schedule, 9 December will be a holiday for voters in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, and Ernakulam districts. December 11 will apply similarly to Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod. All public offices and educational institutions in these districts will remain closed on the respective polling days.
To ensure that every eligible voter can participate, the government has also issued specific provisions for employees posted outside their home constituencies. Government staff who are registered voters in a polling area but currently working in districts where the holiday does not apply will be permitted to take Other Duty or select Special Leave options available on *SPARK*. Casual Leave, commuted leave, and earned leave, however, cannot be utilised for this purpose.
The holiday mandate extends to the private sector as well. Commercial, industrial, trading, and IT establishments operating under the Shops and Commercial Establishments Act must grant a paid holiday to all employees who are voting in the local body elections. Employers are barred from making any wage deductions or reductions on account of the holiday.
Daily-wage and casual workers are also entitled to the same benefit. Even if such workers are employed outside their home constituency, they must be allowed a paid holiday to cast their vote on the scheduled polling day.
The Labour Department will oversee compliance across private enterprises and industrial centres to ensure uniform implementation. With these directives, the State aims to facilitate maximum voter turnout and smooth conduct of the elections across all districts.
