The State Election Commission (SEC) of Kerala is planning to recommend expanding the postal ballot facility to more voter categories in future local body elections. "The Election Commission of India (EC) has made various categories eligible for postal ballots in line with the amendments to the Representation of the People Act. However, no such provision exists in the Kerala Panchayat Raj Act and the Kerala Municipalities Act," said State Election Commissioner A. Shajahan. At present, only election officials can cast their votes via postal ballot in these elections. Various groups, including police officers on duty at Sabarimala temple during the Mandalam-Makaravilakku season and Fire and Rescue Services personnel, had requested the postal ballot facility. However, these requests were denied as the law does not allow it. Mr. Shajahan added that after the 2025 local body polls, held in two phases on December 9 and 11, the SEC will ask the Kerala government to examine whether the rules can be changed to include more categories for postal ballots. This will require amending the Kerala Panchayat Raj Act and the Kerala Municipalities Act. Unlike Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, local body elections currently do not provide postal ballots for general voters or special ballots for vulnerable groups. Postal ballots were allowed as an exception during the 2020 local elections due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, extending this facility poses challenges because local election constituencies are small, with only a few thousand voters each. The SEC plans to review these issues before making any recommendations to the state government.