How local government works in Kerala
Who you vote for in your village, town or city, what each body does, and how the map on this site fits together.
1. Villages: a three-tier panchayat system
If you live in a rural area, you are covered by three elected bodies, each one larger than the last. Each is led by a president who is chosen by the elected members of that body (not by a direct vote of the public).
Grama Panchayat (village level)
The body closest to you. The village is split into wards, and each ward elects one member. It looks after local matters such as village roads, drinking water, sanitation and local welfare schemes. Headed by a president, elected from among the ward members.
Block Panchayat (middle tier)
Covers several grama panchayats. It is divided into divisions; each division is made up of several whole grama panchayat wards and elects one member. It handles projects that span more than one village. Headed by a president elected by its members.
District Panchayat (district tier)
Covers the rural part of a whole district. It is divided into divisions; each division is made up of several whole block panchayat divisions and elects one member. It deals with larger, district-wide work and planning. Headed by a president elected by its members.
2. Towns and cities: one tier
Urban areas are run by a single body instead of three:
Municipality (towns) and Municipal Corporation (large cities)
The area is divided into wards, and each ward elects one councillor. A municipality is headed by a chairperson; a corporation by a mayor. Both are chosen by the elected councillors.
People who live inside a municipality or corporation do not vote for a block or district panchayat.
3. How many are there?
4. How the pieces fit together
Rural: three nested levels
Ward ⊂ block division ⊂ district division. Wards are never split between divisions.
Urban: one level
No block or district panchayat votes here.
5. A worked example: how many votes do you cast?
6. Political map and administrative map
Political map
This shows the areas people vote in, and who won there: Lok Sabha and Assembly constituencies, and local body wards and divisions. Each area has an elected representative.
Administrative map
This shows how the government is administered. A district is headed by a District Collector, an IAS officer who is appointed by the government, not elected. The elected District Panchayat is a separate body: it covers only the rural part of the same district and answers to voters.
On the map, the Districts button is the starting point for the political drill-down, and District Administration shows each district's Collector and office details.