Polling Stations
Chelakkara includes around 180 polling booths across its scope, with 236 EVMs prepared during the
2024 bypoll. Some key stations include:
Part 1: Saraswathy Vidyanekethan School, Thichur
Anganwadis and AUP/GLPS at Thichur, Varavoor, Thali, Desamangalam
Govt. Higher Secondary School, Varavoor (A & B Blocks)
Govt. High Schools at Desamangalam, Cheruthuruthy, Panjal
Multiple LP, UP, AUP schools at Kondayoor, Painkulam, Vettikkattiri, etc.
Geography & Demographics
Chelakkara is predominantly a rural, hilledged region in Thrissur, located around 25 km from the city
of Thrissur, with low elevation and a largely agrarian landscape. The area’s literacy is high (around
93–94 %), typical for Kerala. The constituency has a balanced gender ratio and substantial SC
population owing to reservation status.
Economy & Livelihoods
Agriculture is the dominant occupation — with paddy, coconut, banana, and vegetables cultivated
across the panchayats. A notable share of households relies on NRI remittances, given a trend of
migration to Gulf countries. Small-scale trade, local businesses, and service sector roles support the
economy in market towns like Chelakkara and Pazhayannur. Fishing or broader blueeconomy
activities are minimal, given its inland location. The majority of families fall in the middle to
lowermiddleincome bracket; BPL households exist but do not dominate.
SocioEconomic Characteristics
Majority live in middleincome rural households — small landholders, traders, service
providers.
A smaller but significant BPL segment depends on agriculture wage labour, seasonal work, or
social support.
High literacy and remittance income lift many families into middleclass comfort, while
highwealth households are rare.
Recent Developments
Recent local and state initiatives include:
Upgrade of State Highway 74 (ChelakkaraPazhayannur route) under the Rebuild Kerala
Initiative; ~33 km road retarring, climateresilient materials, started October 2021 and aiming
completion by April 2023.
Panchayatlevel investment in improved drainage, rural water supply, and coopbank
strengthening.
In 2024 bypoll, the CPI(M)’s U. R. Pradeep won, reaffirming LDF’s presence post K.
Radhakrishnan’s Lok Sabha move.
Greater focus on microobserver deployment and greenprotocol polling booths in model
stations to improve election transparency and voter comfort.
Chelakkara is a primarily agrarian & middleincome constituency, with high literacy and significant
reliance on NRI remittances. The region’s polling infrastructure is extensive, reflecting its rural
spread. The ongoing highway upgrade and civic investments are weaving better connectivity and
governance into its fabric. While agriculture retains prominence, remittances and smalltown
businesses continue to drive socioeconomic uplift in this reserved seat in Kerala.
