Kerala Assembly Elections 2026: 5,972 tonnes of waste likely to be generated during Assembly polls in Kerala, projections show

It is estimated that 5,972 tonnes of non-biodegradable waste would be generated during the 2026 Assembly election season in Kerala.

The projection is contained in ‘Green Assembly Elections 2026,’ a booklet prepared by the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (Kerala) and the Local Self-Government department with the help of the Suchitwa Mission. The projected volume includes 2,150 tonnes of banners and hoardings, 980 tonnes of flags and festoons, and 1,416 tonnes of disposable cups, plates and prohibited plastic sachets.

These projections are based on the assumption that the 140 Assembly constituiencies would have around 2,100 candidates for the April 9 election. With the Election Commission of India (EC) limiting the number of voters per polling station to 1,200, Kerala has 30,471 polling stations this time.

Efforts are on to reduce the use of plastic and non-biodegradable waste during the election season. CEO (Kerala) Rathan U. Kelkar had issued a detailed circular in February to ensure that the Assembly polls are conducted in an eco-friendly manner.

As part of the green protocol measures, candidates, political parties and the election officials have been requested to avoid plastics, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and disposable materials during the campaign phase and the conduct of the election.

Campaign posters, banners, billboards and hoardings manufactured from non-recyclable PVC flex, polyester, nylon and plastic-coated cloth are prohibited, according to the order containing the guidelines. Campaign materials made from government-approved products, 100% cotton or plastic-free paper or recycleable polyethylene approved by the Pollution Control Board (PCB) can be used. However, all such materials should display PVC-free label, recycleable logo, details of the prinring unit and the certificate number/QR Code issued by the PCB.

Political parties have been asked to avoid the use of disposables and plastic in conventions, roadshows, meetings and rallies connected to their election campaigns. Among other things, the guidelines also prescribe green protocol measures to be followed at the polling stations and the segregation and collection of wastes generated in the stations on election day.