Daijiworld Media Network - Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 9: The opening phase of Kerala’s local body elections saw vibrant participation across seven districts on Tuesday, with voters lining up outside polling stations from the early hours. Polling began at 7 a.m., following mock voting procedures, and will continue until 6 p.m.
By midday, voter turnout had already exceeded 47 per cent, signalling enthusiastic public engagement in the democratic process. Elections in this phase are being held across 595 local self-government bodies in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, and Ernakulam. These include three municipal corporations, 39 municipalities, seven district panchayats, 75 block panchayats, and 471 gram panchayats, covering a total of 11,168 wards.
Former Defence Minister A.K. Antony cast his vote in Thiruvananthapuram, accompanied by his wife. After voting, he predicted a major political shift, drawing a comparison to the 2010 local body polls, when the Congress-led UDF swept to a convincing victory. Antony said he expected the UDF to deliver a “shock treatment” to the ruling Left this time as well, laying the groundwork for a strong performance in the upcoming Assembly elections.
The CPI(M), however, dismissed such claims. Party General Secretary M.A. Baby expressed confidence that the LDF would not only retain its stronghold but expand it further. He noted that the Left had shown consistent electoral strength in recent years and said the ongoing governance, welfare programmes, and development projects would decisively influence voters in favour of the LDF.
Baby further argued that voters would reject what he described as the UDF’s anti-development stance and the BJP’s communal politics, reaffirming their support for the government’s continuity.
With heavy polling, strong political statements, and competing predictions from major leaders, the first phase has set the tone for a high-stakes electoral contest. The remaining seven districts will vote on Thursday, with the final results scheduled for release on Saturday.