The first phase of Kerala’s local body elections witnessed an impressive voter turnout, crossing 50% by noon on Tuesday. Ernakulam district recorded the highest polling percentage at 50.83%, emerging as the most active region so far. Thiruvananthapuram reported the lowest turnout at 44.50%.
Other district-wise figures stood at: Kollam – 48.43%, Pathanamthitta – 46.99%, Alappuzha – 50.44%, Kottayam – 48.36%, and Idukki – 46.79%.
Polling began at 7 AM, with prominent political leaders arriving early to cast their votes. MP Suresh Gopi and his family voted at the Shasthamangalam School in Thiruvananthapuram. Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan cast his vote in Paravur, while UDF convenor Adoor Prakash voted in Pathanamthitta. Governor Arif Mohammed Khan exercised his franchise at Jawahar Nagar LP School. CPM General Secretary M.A. Baby voted at the Sanskrit College booth.
Several ministers also turned up early at their respective booths. Minister V. Sivankutty voted at Fort High School in Thiruvananthapuram, Minister Veena George along with her mother and sister voted at Kumbazha MDLP School in Pathanamthitta, and Minister P. Prasad cast his vote at Nooranad CBM School. Vasumathi, wife of veteran leader V.S. Achuthanandan, and their son V.A. Arun Kumar voted at Buds School in Punnapra. Former minister G. Sudhakaran, despite a recent leg injury, arrived with a walker to vote at Paravur Government High School. Actor Vijayaraghavan and his family cast their votes at Olassa CMS High School.
Meanwhile, polling in two wards has been postponed following the death of candidates—Vizhinjam ward in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation and Onakoor ward in Pampakuda Panchayat of Ernakulam. Similarly, polling in the seventh ward of Moothedam Panchayat in Malappuram, scheduled for the second phase, has also been postponed due to the death of a candidate.
The first phase of polling is underway across the districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, and Ernakulam. The second phase, covering Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod, will be held the day after tomorrow.
A total of 595 local body institutions are going to polls. Voting will continue from 7 AM to 6 PM, with tokens issued to those arriving before the deadline ensuring they can cast their votes even after 6 PM.
