Kerala Local Body Election Phase 1 Polling Turnout Tracker HIGHLIGHTS: The first phase of voting for the Kerala local body elections 2025, which started at 7:00 am today, has concluded. A record turnout of 70.9% was reported in all seven districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, and Ernakulam, according to Mathrubhumi.
Several high-profile personalities cast their ballots today, including Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, actors Dileep, Asif Ali and Renji Panicker. Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and Congress leader AK Antony also cast their votes.
The second phase of polling, which will take place on December 11, will cover seven districts, including Thrissur to Kasaragod. Elections will be held to 12,391 wards in 604 local bodies including three corporations, SEC has said.
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.
Here are the highlights:
Kerala Local Election phase 1 Voting HIGHLIGHTS: Check Live Coverage on Kerala Local Elections 2025 Phase 1 Polling and Voter Turnout Latest News
Kerala local body polls live: A look back at 2020 poll figures
In the 2020 elections, Ernakulam recorded the highest voter turnout with 81.01 per cent, while Pathanamthitta registered the lowest at 69.70 per cent, according to Onmanorama.
In terms of growth compared to 2015, Ernakulam topped the chart with a 5.45 percentage-point rise, followed by Alappuzha with a 4.02-point increase. One the other end, Idukki witnessed the steepest decline, falling by 4.34 points, and Pathanamthitta showed a slight dip of 0.13 points. Thiruvananthapuram had recorded a moderate improvement, rising from 72.68 per cent to 74.12 per cent.
Kerala local body polls live: Second phase of polls to be held in 12,391 wards
Elections will be held to 12,391 wards in 604 local bodies including three corporations. Candidates in 14 wards in Kannur district and two wards in Kasaragod district have been elected unopposed, the SEC said.
Kerala local body polls live: Campaigning for second phase of polls ends
Campaigning for the second phase of local body elections has ended in the state, Manorama reported. The second phase covers seven districts, including Thrissur to Kasaragod. Polling will be held on December 11.
Kerala local body polls live: BJP, CPI(M) clash over alleged fake voting by transgender persons in Vanchiyoor ward
Tensions flared in Vanchiyoor during the first phase of local body polls after the BJP accused CPI(M) of enabling fake voting through transgender individuals, claiming there were no transgender voters on the ward’s electoral rolls. The CPI(M) rejected the allegation, stating that the rolls were published multiple times and were accessible for verification. The dispute led to clashes between transgender persons and BJP cadres, on-road protests, and police intervention. Authorities have registered cases from both sides, PTI reported.
Kerala local body polls live: Polling concludes as voter turnout crosses 60% in all 7 districts
Several high-profile personalities cast their ballots today, including Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, actors Dileep, Asif Ali and Renji Panicker. Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and Congress leader AK Antony also cast their votes.
The second phase of voting will be held on December 11.
Kerala local body polls live: Voter turnout crosses 60% in all 7 districts
All seven districts voting in the first phase of Kerala local body elections reported a voter turn out of over 60% as of 5 pm, Mathrubhumi reported.
The figures are as follows - Thiruvananthapuram-64.55%, Kollam-67.86%, Pathanamthitta-64.78%, Alappuzha-71.26%, Kottayam-68.44%, Idukki-68.45% and Ernakulam-71.93%
Kerala local body polls live: Conflict in Kannur's Kottiyoor panchayat, BJP candidate injured
Tension broke out at a polling booth in ward 14 of Kottiyoor panchayat after a person arrived without the required documents and the presiding officer denied permission to vote. When BJP activists alleged that it was an attempt to cast a bogus vote, CPM workers protested, and the ensuing commotion allegedly left BJP candidate Prasanna Satheesan injured, Onmanorama reported.
Kerala local body polls live: 'Have full confidence that our party will win', says UDF Convenor Adoor Prakash
As the voting for the first phase of the Kerala local body elections began, United Democratic Front (UDF) Convenor Adoor Prakash on Tuesday cast his vote and said that there is "no doubt that his party will win the elections".
Kerala local body polls live: Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar cast his vote at Jawahar Nagar
Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar cast his vote at Jawahar Nagar, Thiruvananthapuram as part of the ongoing electoral process. The Governor exercised his franchise and urged all eligible voters to participate wholeheartedly in the democratic process.
Kerala local body polls live: 73-year-old woman dies while waiting in queue to vote in Thiruvananthapuram
A woman voter collapsed and died in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday. The incident took place around 12 pm at booth number 6 of Pachalloor School in the Thiruvallam ward. The voter, Shantha, aged 73, collapsed while standing in the queue, Onmanorama reported.
Kerala local body polls live: Allegation of bogus Voting in Kottayam
Thekkekara, Poonjar, witnessed allegations of bogus voting during the first phase of the Kerala local body elections. The complaint was raised at a booth in Payanithottam, where voters alleged that someone had cast a false vote, Mathrubhumi reported.
Kerala local body polls live: Malayalam film actor Dileep casts his vote in local body polls
#watch | Kochi, Kerala | Malayalam film actor Dileep casts his vote in local body polls pic.twitter.com/UVBZeFQxsn
— ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2025
Polling in the first phase of Kerala's local body elections across seven districts crossed the 50% turnout mark, as per the latest data released by the State Election Commission (SEC). This halfway mark has been reached within seven hours of voting, an outcome which is viewed as a major political signal ahead of the next year's state Assembly elections.
Voter turnout by 1 pm was recorded to surpass 40%. Thiruvananthapuram recorded 38.08%, 43.42% in Alappuzha, 39.86% in Idukki, 41.46% in Kottayam and 41.9% in Kollam, as per Mathrubhumi.
Each of the major parties is pushing for a distinct narrative. The Congress, led by UDF, is expecting that public anger related to the high-profile Sabarimala gold missing case will turn into anti-government votes.
On the contrary, the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) headed by the CPI (M) is hoping to retain power by underlining its development programmes and welfare pension schemes as an example of good governance.
Meanwhile, the BJP is trying to expand its presence in the state by running an extensive campaign that includes issues related to the management of the Sabarimala temple and religion, as per a report by PTI.
A political row broke out today in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation after a BJP candidate from Sasthamangalam and former Director of Police R. Sreelekha reportedly shared the results of a pre-poll survey on social media. The act is said to violate the Model Code of Conduct, as per a IANS report.
The social media post reportedly indicated that the BJP-led NDA was in the lead in the corporation, resulting in sharp reactions from political parties .
Voter turnout at 11:40 am was recorded at 29.23% in Thiruvananthapuram, 33.81% in Alappuzha, 30.33% in Idukki, 32.57% in Kollam, 31.88% in Kottayam , 31.37% in Pathanamthitta and Ernakulam at 33.83%, as per Mathrubhumi.
Senior Congress leader AK Antony casts his vote in the local body elections. CPI-M leader MA Baby was also seen casting his vote.
Kerala local body polls live: Latest voting percentage
As per the latest update, voting is underway, and the voter turnout stands at 26.9% as of 11 am.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor cast his vote today at Booth Number .005 at Cottonhill UPS in Vazhuthacaud during the ongoing polls.
Tharoor stated to ANI that the state capital has faced years of misgovernance and that the present local body elections mark an important moment of change.
Commenting on the decision of UDF and Congress for fielding younger candidates, he said that it reflects a push for fresh leadership. “For us to put forward young faces means we want change,” Tharoor stated.
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As per official figures, over 13.28 million voters are eligible to cast their vote today. The electoral roll will also include 468 migrant voters, as per IANS.
Kerala local body polls live: UDF aims for 55 seats in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, says K Muraleedharan
Senior Congress leader K Muraleeddharan stated that the long queues seen during the ongoing Kerala polls indicate a strong demand for change. “This time there is a huge queue, so they want to change,” he said to ANI. He further expressed confidence that the UDF will win at least 55 seats in the Thiruvanthapuram Corporation and will come back across other local bodies.
Kerala local body polls live: CPI(M) MP John Brittas says local polls key to growth path
CPI(M) MP John Brittas told ANI, "This is a celebration of grassroots democracy that we will not see anywhere else". The individuals themselves are debating how to move forward. They are talking about their future, security, safety, dignity, and development issues.
He further said that, "Kerala is currently moving toward development. We must maintain this trajectory. Additionally, these local board elections would be a critical step in building on the successes and moving forward".
Kerala local body polls live: Kerala BJP President urged the voters to cast their votes
On Tuesday, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the president of the Kerala BJP, urged voters to cast their ballots in the local body elections. He said that if given the chance, the party would undo years of bad government, corruption, and lack of development, as reported by ANI.
The BJP leader and former Union Minister said that elections are a "celebration of democracy" and that people should vote for their future after thinking about their problems.
Kerala local body polls live: State Election Commissioner A Shahjahan on voter turnout expectation
State Election Commissioner A Shahjahan stated that polling is progressing across all stations at the first phase of local body elections, in going on in seven districts. “It’s a peaceful polling process that has been going on at every polling station,” he told ANI. He further added that voting is being held through a token-based system, and the commission is hopeful of a good voter turnout.
Kerala local body polls live: State Election Commissioner A Shahjahan cast his vote
State Election Commissioner A Shahjahan was among the early voters as he cast his vote at a polling station during the ongoing elections.
Kerala local body polls live: How many candidates are taking part in first phase 1
As many as 36,630 candidates have entered the race in the first place of Kerala’s local body elections. The contest includes 17,056 male candidates, 19,573 women, and one transgender individual, as per IANS.
Kerala local body polls live: Suresh Gopi confident of BJP's win
Union Minister Suresh Gopi cast his vote for the Kerala Local Body Elections on Tuesday morning in Sasthamangalam, Thiruvananthapuram. He said he was confident that the BJP would win big in the city corporation. He added that his aim is to continue working for the well-being of the people of Thiruvananthapuram.
Gopi said he believes residents will trust the BJP to run the corporation in a way that matches their expectations and helps shape their vision for the city. He also suggested that many earlier promises by others have not been fulfilled, which has turned public attention toward his party. He expressed hope that this time the BJP would get a clear mandate to serve the people of Kerala through its work in Thiruvananthapuram.
Kerala local body polls live: Suresh Gopi arrives at polling booth to cast his vote - Watch
BJP candidate R. Sreelekha was seen welcoming Union Minister Suresh Gopi as he arrives at a polling station in Thiruvananthapuram to cast his vote in the Kerala local body elections. Gopi arrived at the booth with his wife. Watch here:
#watch | Kerala | Union Minister Suresh Gopi, along with his wife Radhika Nair, arrive at a polling booth to cast their vote for the Kerala local body elections in Thiruvananthapuram. pic.twitter.com/mUdS3SrBOQ
Kerala local body polls live: Voting begins
The voting for phase 1 of Kerala local body elections 2025 has started. The voting kicked off at 7:00 am and will continue till 6 pm today. The next and final phase of voting will take place on December 11.