The second phase of local body elections in Kerala has commenced, observing an impressive voter turnout across seven districts. Polling is currently underway in 604 local self-government institutions spread across Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod. These elections cover Grama Panchayats, Block Panchayats, and District Panchayats. Voting began promptly at 7 AM and is scheduled to conclude at 6 PM, with provisions ensuring that all voters still in queue at the closing time will be permitted to cast their ballots. The vote counting is slated for Saturday.
Mid-day reports indicate robust public participation, with the overall polling percentage crossing 50% by 1:30 PM. Malappuram district recorded the highest turnout at 54.84%, while Kasaragod registered 51.48%. Other districts showed similar trends, with Thrissur at 51.17%, Palakkad 53.47%, Kozhikode 53.56%, Wayanad 51.93%, and Kannur at 51.52% by the same time. Earlier in the day, around 12 PM, the overall polling had reached 42.39%, and by 10:45 AM, it was approximately 25%. The initial two and a quarter hours of voting saw a 14% turnout.
Several prominent political figures and citizens from various walks of life exercised their democratic right. Muslim League President Sadikhali Shihab Thangal, upholding his family’s tradition, cast the first vote at the Panakkad CKM LP School. He was joined by other family members, including Abbasali Shihab Thangal and Munavarali Shihab Thangal. BJP leader M T Ramesh cast his vote at Karaparamba Higher Secondary School, expressing confidence in the BJP’s potential for significant progress, particularly in the Kozhikode Corporation. RJD State President M V Shreyams Kumar, who voted at Puliyarmala GLP School, predicted a favorable verdict for the LDF. Minister P A Mohammed Riyas echoed this sentiment after casting his vote, highlighting a positive political atmosphere for the LDF and public acceptance of the state government’s development initiatives. Muslim League leader M K Muneer, voting in Kozhikode, conveyed the UDF’s strong optimism about capturing the corporation, anticipating an anti-incumbency wave against both the central and state governments. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan cast his vote at Pinarayi’s Junior Basic School, conveying the LDF’s high confidence for a historic victory and downplaying the impact of the Sabarimala issue on the elections. Indian Grand Mufti Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar also cast his vote at the Govt. Punnur MUP School. Notably, 72-year-old A Krishnan from Thrikkaripur, Kasaragod, cast his first vote after returning from 40 years of expatriate life, and women cricketer Sajana Sajeed travelled from the Mumbai Indians camp to Mananthavady specifically to vote, emphasizing it as a fundamental citizen’s right.
The election day also witnessed a few isolated incidents. In Kannur, an LDF booth agent, P Abdullah, was allegedly assaulted at Aryil in Thalipparamba Pattuvam, reportedly for attempting to prevent bogus voting. In Kozhikode, a CPM party office operating near the Kodiyathur Pannikkode polling station was shut down by police following complaints from UDF workers about the distribution of slips, which led to an altercation between party members. Allegations of bogus voting surfaced in Thrissur’s Nedupuzha, where Nedupuzha Pradeep’s vote was reportedly cast by someone else at the Polytechnic booth in Corporation Division 45; officials offered a tender vote as a remedy. Technical issues were reported in Palakkad’s Kozhinjampara, where a voting machine in booth two of ward nine malfunctioned three times, causing long queues. Tragically, a voter identified as K P Sudheesh from Morazha, Kannur, collapsed and died while attempting to cast his vote at Morazha South LP School.