The Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) registered a historic victory in the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation, winning 50 wards. The Left Democratic Front (LDF), which is in power in Kerala, won just 29 seats, while the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) bagged 19 wards. Two wards were also won by independent candidates, according to the Kerala State Election Commission (SEC).
The polling in Vizhinjam, however, was postponed after the death of an independent candidate. The results, meanwhile, are a huge setback for the LDF ahead of the assembly elections in Kerala, which will be held next year, along with those in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam and the union territory (UT) of Puducherry.
What happened in Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation in last elections in 2020?
In the previous local body elections in Kerala in 2020, the LDF had swept the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation and won 52 wards. The NDA's performance was also impressive, with the BJP-led alliance winning 33 wards. The UDF, on the other hand, won 10 wards.
Kerala witnessed highest turnout in local body elections since 1995
According to the Kerala SEC, the coastal state recorded the highest turnout in local body polls this year at 73.69 per cent. The first phase, which was also held on December 9, saw a turnout of 70.91 per cent. The second phase, which was held on December 11, recorded a voter turnout of 76.08 per cent, according to the data provided by the Kerala SEC.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Kerala SEC A Shahjahan said that the polling concluded across the state in a peaceful manner, adding that green protocol and the model code of conduct (MCC) was strictly followed. He had also thanked voters, candidates, political parties and all other stakeholders involved in the poll process for their cooperation.
