Thiruvananthapuram: The State Election Commission has instructed the government to declare public holidays on the local body election polling days. Public holidays, including those under the Negotiable Instruments Act, must be declared in the respective districts on December 9 and 11.

Factory, plantation, and other sector employees must also be granted a public holiday, or arrangements should be made to allow them to exercise their voting rights.

The Election Commission has also asked that steps be taken to grant leave to employees of central government departments and central public sector undertakings on polling days.