In Kerala, giving a vital role for women in grass-root level development process, nearly half the posts of presidents of local bodies have been reserved for women. The state election commission has issued an order identifying in 489 village panchayats to have women as president after the local bodies polls to be held in October.Similar notifications are expected to be issued soon identifying the block and district panchyats as well as municipalities and corporations. The state government had earlier brought in an order reserving 50 per cent of seats in local bodies for women.According to Commission sources, 76 block panchyats, 30 municipalities and three city corporations are expected to be have women as chairpersons and mayors. In local bodies which were not reserved for women, the vice-presidentship have been set apart for women.