Kerala Local Body Election phase 1 Voting LIVE: Voting underway for phase 1 in seven districts

Kerala Local Body Election Phase 1 Polling Turnout Tracker LIVE: The first phase of voting for the Kerala local body elections 2025 is set to begin at 7:00 am today covering wards in 595 local bodies across Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Alappuzha, and Ernakulam districts. The second phase of voting will be held on December 11.

LDF vs UDF – Key Battle

The Election Commission has informed that 1,32,83,789 voters will choose winners from 75,632 candidates contesting in 23,576 wards across the state in two phases. Results for all 1,199 local bodies will be declared on December 13.

This time, unlike previous local body elections, the state saw a much tougher fight among the major political fronts because the outcome is expected to influence the upcoming Assembly elections.

The LDF, led by the CPI(M), campaigned by stressing the government’s development and welfare work. The UDF, led by the Congress, focused on accusations of corruption and poor governance. The BJP highlighted development plans and infrastructure projects, saying they would receive strong support from the Centre.

The LDF faced pressure due to the Sabarimala temple gold loss case, in which CPI(M) leader and former Travancore Devaswom Board president A. Padmakumar was arrested. The UDF suffered a blow after allegations of rape and forced abortion against Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, who was later removed from the Congress’s primary membership. The BJP also dealt with internal disagreements and local-level disputes during the campaign.

Meanwhile, BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar approached the state police chief on Monday, asking for intervention to ensure a fair election in a ward in the Kadakkal village panchayat in Kollam.

In his petition, he claimed that tension has been rising in the Kottappuram (SC) ward because of repeated actions by CPI(M) supporters. He said campaign posters and flex boards of BJP candidate Indulekha were destroyed, and she faced verbal abuse. According to him, the situation has worsened to the extent that she is now receiving death threats. Chandrasekhar stated that such incidents pose a serious danger to both the democratic process and the safety of people in the ward.

Valid ID for voting – What is allowed?

The State Election Commissioner has clearly stated that anyone involved in breaking the Model Code of Conduct will face criminal charges. This includes fake voting, pretending to be someone else, causing trouble at polling booths, attacking election staff, or damaging election materials.

Voters can show any of the following as a valid ID: Voter ID card, Aadhaar card, driving licence, passport, PAN card, a photo-attested bank passbook issued within the last six months, a photo-attested SSLC book, or a voter slip from the State Election Commission.

Non-resident voters must bring their original passport to the polling station.

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