Kerala local body polls: Over 72,000 candidates in fray; women dominate candidate list

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: The preliminary picture of the upcoming local body elections in Kerala, scheduled for December, has begun to take shape.

According to the State Election Commission’s initial tally, a total of 72,005 candidates are in the fray. Women lead with 37,786 candidates, followed by 34,218 men. The commission clarified that this is not the final count.

Two candidates from the transgender category are contesting this year. Monday marked the final day to withdraw nominations.

Left Democratic Front (LDF) is banking on a series of major announcements, including benefits for government employees, a ₹1,000 relief payment for housewives, an increase in welfare pensions, and a new bill to address wild animal-related issues, to strengthen its prospects.

Meanwhile, Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) is attempting to win voter support by drawing attention to the arrest of two former Devaswom Board presidents in the Sabarimala gold theft case, along with the court’s reference to corruption and prevailing anti-government sentiment.

Sabarimala is also being used as a campaign tool by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led NDA as it works to gain control of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation and expand its vote share. 

There are 23,612 wards across 1,200 local bodies in the state. Elections will not take place in Mattannur Municipality in Kannur district because the governing body’s term has not yet ended. Polls have been announced for the remaining 23,576 wards in 1,199 local bodies across two phases.

Local body elections in the state will be held in two phases on December 9 and 11.

Polling in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Idukki, and Ernakulam districts will be held on December 9.

Voters in Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Wayanad, Kozhikode, Kannur, and Kasaragod districts will cast their votes on December 11.

The counting of votes will begin on December 13, and the full election procedure is scheduled to be completed by December 18.