The elections to the local self-government bodies to be held next month will install more women at the helm of affairs in the district compared to the elections held five years ago.
The number of presidential posts reserved for women in panchayats has increased from 27 – including three from women of the Scheduled Caste community – in 2005 to 42, which will, again, include three women from the Scheduled Caste community. The number of posts of presidents reserved for those from the Scheduled Caste community generally would remain four as in the previous elections.
Last time Ezhikkara, Kumbalam, and Kuzhupilly panchayats had presidents hailing from Scheduled Castes, while Mulavukad, Nedumbassery, and Ramamangalam panchayats had women from the Scheduled Caste community as presidents.
Women also presided over Chittatukara, Edakkatuvayal, Edathala, Kadungalloor, Kalady, Kavalangad, Koovappady, Kottuvally, Kuttampuzha, Maneedu, Maradu, Mookkannoor, Mudakuzha, Njarakkal, Nellikuzhi, Okkal, Payipra, Pampakuda, Parakkadavu, Poothrikka, Rayamangalam, Sreemoolanagaram, Varappetty, and Vengola panchayats.
In the coming elections, the post of presidents in Mulanthuruthy, Vadavucode-Puthencruz, and Edavanakkad panchayats will go to women from the Scheduled Caste community while that in Malayattoor-Neeleswaram, Mudakuzha, Kavalangad, and Sreemoolanagaram panchayats have been generally reserved for those from the Scheduled Caste community.
Karumaloor, Varapuzha, Kanjoor, Karukutty, Manjapra, , Kadamakudy, Elamkunnapuzha, Ashamanoor, Vengoor, Keerampara, Paingottoor, Pallarimangalam, Pindimana, Kottapady, Udayamperur, Arakuzha, Avoli, Aayavana, Manjalloor, Kumbalanghi, Elanji, Koothattukulam, Palakuzha, Thirumarady, Chengamanad, Kunnukara, Puthenvelikkara, Chennamangalam, Chittatukara, Vadakkekara, Aikkaranadu, Kunnathunadu, Thiruvaniyoor, Choornikkara, Keezhmad, Kizhakkambalam, Nayarambalam, and Pallippuram panchayats will have women presidents.
Among the block panchayats in the districts six – Edappally, Palluruthy, Alangad, Angamaly, Pampakuda, Paravur, and Vypeen – will have women presidents this time.. The post of president in Parakkadavu block has been allocated for a woman from the Scheduled Caste community. In the elections held in 2005, 6,144 candidates contested to 113 local bodies in the district.
Of this, 4,501 candidates contested the 88 grama panchayats while 565 candidates contested 15 block panchayats. Eighty-eight candidates contested to the district panchayat, 733 candidates to the eight municipalities and 257 candidates were in the fray for elections to the Corporation. Elections were held to 1,363 constituencies in 88 panchayats, 185 constituencies in 15 block panchayats, 28 constituencies in the district panchayat, 228 in eight municipalities, and to 71 divisions in the Corporation.
Polling booths numbering 3,619 were set up for the elections across the district – 2,885 in grama panchayats, 248 in municipalities and 486 in the Corporation.
