Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: The Department of Personnel and Training has informed the Kerala State Election Commission that central government institutions, including industrial establishments in the state, will not be granted a holiday on the local body election polling days.

Employees who are registered voters will be permitted to come late to work, leave early or take short absences in order to cast their vote.

"In connection with local body elections, viz., Panchayat/Corporation/Municipality, the Government employees who are bona fide voters and desire to exercise their franchise should be offered reasonable facility, subject to normal exigencies of services, either by coming late to the office or being allowed to leave the office early or a short absence on that day," the order states. 

Meanwhile, the state government has declared a public holiday on polling days for all state government departments. Employees of private institutions, including those in the IT sector, industrial centres and establishments under the Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, must be granted paid leave to vote. The authorities have also directed that daily wage earners and casual workers must receive paid leave on the voting day to ensure no voter is disadvantaged.

Schools that function as polling booths will remain closed for two days in connection with the elections. A 48-hour liquor ban will be enforced in polling areas from 48 hours prior to the close of polling and continue through the day of vote counting.

The Postmaster General has notified the Election Commission that post offices across Kerala will remain open until 6 pm on December 8 for the receipt and dispatch of postal ballot applications and postal ballots.