Thiruvananthapuram: Confusion prevailed on Thursday after the Thiruvananthapuram District Collector and the State Election Commission (SEC) issued separate orders regarding a holiday in connection with the Vettucaud Madre De Deus Church festival.

District Collector Anu Kumari declared a local holiday on Friday afternoon for government offices and educational institutions in Thiruvananthapuram and Neyyattinkara taluks, in view of the annual church feast. Government offices and schools in Amboori, Vaazhichal, Kallikkad, Ottasekharamangalam, Keezhatoor, Kulathummal, Maranalloor, Malayinkeezhu, Vilavoorkal, and Vilappil villages in Kattakada taluk will also remain closed.

However, the State Election Commission (SEC) later clarified that the holiday order would not apply to local self-government offices and officials assigned duties related to the upcoming local body elections.

The conflicting directives created uncertainty among government employees and institutions about whether the holiday would apply to them.