Thiruvananthapuram, 9 Dec (H.S.):Polling for the first phase of the Kerala local body elections began at 7 am on Tuesday across seven districts — Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki and Ernakulam — marking what political parties describe as a crucial “semi-final” ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
According to the election commission officials the vote percentage till 9 am today touched 12.01%. Voting will continue till evening, while the second phase is scheduled for December 11. Counting of votes will take place on December 13.
However, polling was called off in two wards following the sudden deaths of candidates. In Thiruvananthapuram, voting at the Vizhinjam ward was cancelled after the death of independent candidate Justin Francis in a road accident. In Ernakulam, the demise of UDF candidate C S Babu (59) led to the cancellation of polling at Ward 10, Onakoor, in Pampakuda panchayat, as per orders of the Kerala State Election Commission.
The first phase witnessed intense political buzz, with leaders across party lines turning up to vote early in the day. BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, AICC general secretary K C Venugopal, Union Minister George Kurian and popular actor Indrans were among the prominent personalities who exercised their franchise.
Controversy erupted after BJP candidate R Sreelekha was accused of violating the Model Code of Conduct by allegedly sharing pre-poll survey results on social media, claiming that the party was set to sweep the local body elections. Election officials said the matter was being examined.
Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan asserted that the UDF was poised for a “historic comeback” in the local body polls, citing strong anti-incumbency sentiment and alleged corruption issues, including the widely discussed Sabarimala gold smuggling case, which he said would severely impact the ruling LDF.
Meanwhile, actor-turned-politician and Lok Sabha MP Suresh Gopi voted along with his family at Sasthamangalam in Thiruvananthapuram and reiterated his confidence that the BJP would record significant gains, especially in corporation areas.
With the LDF, UDF and BJP locked in a high-stakes triangular contest, today’s polling is expected to offer key insights into shifting political trends in Kerala, setting the tone for the 2026 Assembly battle.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman
