Civic polls vote counting: UDF ahead in more municipalities, corporations, panchayats than LDF

Thiruvananthapuram | After three hours of counting of votes, which began at 8 am, for the 1,199 local bodies in Kerala, SEC data indicated that the UDF was leading in more grama and block panchayats, municipalities and corporations than the LDF.

The trends shared by the State Election Commission (SEC) showed the ruling LDF and the opposition UDF leading in 371 and 389 grama panchayats, respectively, at 11.05 am.

The UDF was also ahead in 55 municipalities, 8 district panchayats, 76 block panchayats and 4 corporations, while the LDF was leading in 29 municipalities, 6 district panchayats, 64 block panchayats and one corporation.

The BJP-led NDA was ahead in 28 grama panchayats, one block panchayat and one corporation.

However, the NDA was much ahead of the LDF and UDF in the Thiruvananthapuram corporation, which was held by the Left front for the last 45 years.

LDF appeared to be poised for a setback in Kollam, Kochi, and Thrissur corporations which it had won last time.

The Kollam corporation was held by the LDF since 2000 and the Thrissur corporation since 2015.

The Kochi corporation was won from the UDF by the LDF in 2020 and now the Congress-led front appears set for a comeback there.

The UDF looks to retain the Kannur corporation and the Kozhikode corporation will likely remain with the LDF, according to the trends till 11.05 am.

The UDF is also leading in the BJP-held Palakkad municipality.

Counting is being carried out in 244 centres and 14 district collectorates.

There were some issues at a few counting centres, including Thiruvananthapuram, Palakkad and Vadakara, over giving entry to booth agents and candidates.

The results are expected to decide the future course of campaigning of the political parties and fronts in the state for the assembly elections in Kerala in 2026.

The oath taking of elected panchayat members and municipal councillors will be held on December 21 at 10 am.

Oath taking of corporation councillors will be held on December 21 at 11 am.

Thiruvananthapuram | The Congress candidate from Muttada division of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation in the local body polls who had to move the Kerala High Court to reinstate her name in the electoral roll, won on Saturday with a margin of over 300 votes.

Talking to reporters after her win, Vyshna SL said it was a "win for democracy" and that the Congress had said that "truth will win".

"It is an occasion for us to be proud and happy. People recognised our hard work," she said.

Vyshna had approached the Kerala HC after receiving a notice from the State Election Commission (SEC) stating that her name had been removed from the voters' list.

Subsequently, the High Court had directed the SEC to reexamine her claim. Thereafter, the SEC had conducted a hearing and reinstated her name in the voters list.

The Congress had alleged that there was a LDF conspiracy behind the removal of Vyshna's name from the electoral roll.

Thiruvananthapuram | After the first hour of counting of votes, which began at 8 am, for the 1,199 local bodies in Kerala, SEC data indicated that the LDF was leading in more grama and block panchayats than the UDF, but the opposition was ahead in municipalities and corporations.

Initial trends shared by the State Election Commission (SEC) showed the ruling LDF and the opposition UDF leading in 261 and 228 grama panchayats, respectively, at 9.25 am.

However, the UDF was ahead in 43 municipalities, 7 district panchayats and 4 corporations, while the LDF was leading in 26 municipalities, 6 district panchayats and one corporation.

The BJP-led NDA was ahead in 15 grama panchayats, 3 municipalities and one corporation.

The trends for the Thiruvananthapuram corporation showed the NDA leading with the LDF close behind.

The Thiruvananthapuram corporation was held by the LDF for the last 45 years.

Counting is being carried out in 244 centres and 14 district collectorates.

There were some issues at a few counting centres, including Thiruvananthapuram, Palakkad and Vadakara, over giving entry to booth agents and candidates.

The results are expected to decide the future course of campaigning of the political parties and fronts in the state for the assembly elections in Kerala in 2026.

The oath taking of elected panchayat members and municipal councillors will be held on December 21 at 10 am.

Oath taking of corporation councillors will be held on December 21 at 11 am.