Thiruvananthapuram:  The process for submitting nominations for the upcoming local body elections in Kerala will begin tomorrow. Candidates will have time until November 21 to file their papers with the returning officers in their respective areas.

According to the State Election Commission, the scrutiny of nominations will take place on November 22. Candidates who wish to withdraw their papers can do so until November 24. The election will be held in two phases on December 9 and December 11, and the counting of votes is scheduled for December 13.

The state is preparing for elections across almost all local bodies, covering more than twenty three thousand wards after recent delimitation. Around two point eight crore voters are expected to take part in the polls, and more than thirty three thousand polling stations will be set up across Kerala.

Candidates will need to pay a security deposit based on the local body they are contesting. The amount is two thousand rupees for gram panchayats, four thousand rupees for block panchayats and municipalities, and five thousand rupees for district panchayats and corporations. Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe candidates will need to pay only half of the prescribed amount.

Only five people will be allowed inside the returning officers room when filing nominations. Candidates can use up to three vehicles near the office, following the election rules to ensure order and fairness.

The upcoming polls are expected to be closely watched as they may offer early signs of political trends ahead of the next state assembly election.