Kerala Local Body Election Results: LDF Faces Setback, UDF Advances, BJP Surprises

Kerala is abuzz with anticipation as vote counting is underway for the local body elections, considered a semi-final ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. Vote counting began at 8 AM, with postal votes tallied first. Initial results were expected by 8:30 AM, with full results anticipated by noon. Counting is being conducted at 244 centers across all 14 districts of the state. Postal ballots for District Panchayats are being counted under the supervision of Collectors at their respective Collectorates.

For the local body elections, votes for Grama, Block, and District Panchayats are being counted simultaneously at one table, as all three results are contained within the control unit of a single electronic voting machine. Vote counting for all booths within a Grama Panchayat ward is taking place at one table, overseen by a counting supervisor. Units are brought to the tables in order, starting from Ward number one. The elections, held in two phases, saw a total voter turnout of 73.69 percent, with over 2.10 crore people casting their votes. Live updates on leads and results are available on the Election Commission’s official websites: https://trend.sec.kerala.gov.in, https://lbtrend.kerala.gov.in, and https://trend.kerala.nic.in.

**Key Results and Highlights:**

**Pala Municipality:** In Pala Municipality, a married couple, Shaju Thuruthil and Advocate Betty Shaju Thuruthil, both Kerala Congress (M) candidates, secured victories in Ward 1 and Ward 2, respectively. Both have served as municipal councilors for over two decades, with Shaju serving once and Betty twice as Municipal Chairperson.

**Palakkad District (Kollengode Panchayat):** In a unique contest in Nemmeni ward of Kollengode Panchayat, where candidates were named after deities, LDF’s R. Sivan defeated UDF’s K. Guruvayoorappan, with BJP’s Kalidasan coming in third.

**Munnar:** Sonia Gandhi, a BJP candidate from Ward 16 in Munnar, garnered attention for her name but lost to LDF’s Valarmathi. The 34-year-old, daughter of a former Congress leader, joined BJP after marrying its panchayat general secretary.

**Thiruvananthapuram Corporation:** Early trends showed the NDA leading in 50 seats in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, needing just one more for a simple majority. Shashi Tharoor congratulated the BJP on its success in the Corporation. Later updates confirmed NDA’s strong performance. In Athiyannoor Panchayat in Thiruvananthapuram district, NDA secured 8 out of 12 declared wards, moving towards power. BJP candidate Nakul Chandran won by over 400 votes in Venpakal ward. BJP State Secretary V.V. Rajesh secured a victory in Kodunganoor division. Former DGP R. Sreelekha, a BJP candidate, won in Sasthamangalam ward. UDF’s Mayor candidate K.S. Sabarinathan won in Kavadiyar ward. In Muttada ward, UDF candidate Vaishnava Suresh achieved an upset victory. Independent candidate Patoor Radhakrishnan won in Kannammoola ward. However, CPM’s I.P. Binu lost in Kunnukuzhy ward, and former sportswoman and BJP candidate Padmini Thomas was defeated in Palayam ward.

**Idukki District:** UDF captured the stronghold of former minister M.M. Mani in Rajakkad Panchayat, securing 10 seats, with one independent and LDF securing 3. M.M. Mani’s daughter was the president of Rajakkad Panchayat last term.

**Kottayam District:** In Poonjar Thekkekkara Panchayat, NDA secured power by winning 8 out of 15 seats, with LDF getting 5 and UDF 2. However, NCP candidate Latika Subhash lost in Thirunakkara ward of Kottayam Municipality to UDF’s Susheela Gopakumar.

**Kollam District:** In Poruvazhy, both a husband and wife duo won their respective elections. Nikhil Manohar of BJP won from Malanada Division in Sasthamkotta Block Panchayat, while his wife Reshma Nikhil won in Ward 8 of Poruvazhy Panchayat. BJP opened its account for the first time in Punalur Municipality, with its candidate winning in Aikkarkkonam ward.

**Pathanamthitta District:** Congress candidate Sreenadevi Kunjamma lost in Pallikkal division of Pathanamthitta District Panchayat. She had resigned from CPI to join Congress just before the elections.

**Kannur District:** Congress candidate Rijil Makkutty won in Aadikadalayi ward of Kannur Corporation, a sitting seat for LDF. BJP also opened its account in Koothuparamba Municipality, with Ramitha defeating CPM’s P. Shaija in Palaparamba ward.

**Ernakulam District:** In Kochi Corporation, BJP secured its first victory in Island North ward, with Padmakumari defeating Congress opposition leader Antony Kureethara. BJP’s Kunjumon Augustine won in Munambam Kadappuram ward of Pallippuram Panchayat, a ward that gained attention due to the Munambam protest.

**Wayanad District:** BJP secured the Puliyarmala ward in Kalpetta, Wayanad, which houses the ancestral home of RJD leader M.V. Sreyams Kumar, with Ranjith defeating RJD’s Sanoosh Kumar.

**Other Notable Results:**
Former MLA E.M. Agusthy, a Congress candidate, lost in Irupathekar division of Kattappana Municipality. Former minister S. Sharma’s wife Asha Sharma, an LDF candidate, lost in Ward 7 of Paravoor Municipality, with BJP winning the ward and LDF coming third. Controversial businessman Karat Faisal, an LDF-backed independent candidate, lost to Muslim League’s P.P. Moydeen Kutty in Ward 24 (South Koduvally) of Koduvally Municipality. BJP candidate Mumtaz won in Kannamkulangara ward of Thrissur Corporation. BJP candidate Usha R. Nair won in Ward 7 of Aaranmula Panchayat, which was the ward of jailed CPM leader A. Padmakumar in the Sabarimala gold smuggling case. Jose K. Mani’s ward, Ward 22 of Pala Municipality, was won by UDF candidate Rajitha Prakash with a majority of 55 votes. Rahul Mankuttathil’s supporter Fenny Nainaan lost in Ward 8 of Adoor Municipality, with BJP retaining the ward.

**Overall Trends and Polling:**
The State Election Commission has urged candidates and political parties to maintain moderation during victory celebrations until December 18, when the model code of conduct remains in effect. Guidelines include restrictions on loudspeakers, fireworks, and adherence to Green Protocol and environmental laws. The overall polling recorded across the state was 73.69 percent, with the second phase registering 76.08 percent, surpassing the first phase’s 70.91 percent.