The State Election Commission (SEC) has issued guidelines for the swearing-in of newly elected members and councilors of local bodies, with ceremonies scheduled for December 21.
The eldest of the elected representatives must first take an oath or declaration before an official nominated by the government. In case of Corporations and District Panchayats, the appointed officers are the District Collectors. The Returning Officers concerned are the appointed officers in grama and block panchayats and in case of municipalities specially assigned Returning Officers.
The senior member then administers an oath or declaration to the other members.
In the three-tier panchayats and municipal councils, ceremonies will be held on December 21 at 10 am. Corporations will host them at 11:30 a.m. on the same day.
After the ceremony, the oldest member will preside over the first meeting of elected members. The secretary of the local authority will read the instructions regarding the election of the chairman and deputy chairman – mayor, deputy mayor, chairman, deputy chairman, if applicable, at this meeting.
All candidates running in the 2025 local body elections have been asked to submit their election expenses to the SEC by January 12. The details are to be filed online after logging into the election expenditure module on the SEC website www.sec.kerala.gov.in. Election rules require candidates to submit their expenses within 30 days of the results being announced, the SEC said. Failure to do so may result in disqualification from participating in elections or remaining as an elected member for a period of five years. Submitting misleading information or spending in excess of the allowed amount may also lead to disqualification, the Commission said.
Published – 15 Dec 2025 21:07 IST
