Kerala Local Body By-Elections: A Crucial Test for UDF and LDF

Kerala is witnessing local body by-elections, a crucial test for the Congress-led UDF following its recent Assembly victory. With polling in 38 wards, the results will indicate if the anti-Left sentiment persists. The UDF aims to maintain its momentum, while the LDF seeks to recover from its Assembly defeat. The stakes are high as both parties campaign vigorously, addressing local issues and broader political controversies. Results are expected soon, promising insights into the state's political landscape.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 28, 2026, 13:35 IST

Polling Begins in Kerala's Local Body By-Elections

Photo: IANS

Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 28: Following the Congress-led UDF's significant victory in the Assembly elections four months ago, Kerala is set for another electoral challenge on Monday, with voting taking place in 38 local body wards across the state.

This by-election is being closely monitored as it serves as an initial gauge of the V.D. Satheesan administration, which began its term with strong momentum but has faced various political hurdles since.

Crucially, the outcomes may reveal whether the anti-Left sentiment that propelled the UDF to secure 102 out of 140 Assembly seats in May persists at the local level.

Voting commenced at 7 a.m. and will conclude at 6 p.m., with counting set for Tuesday morning and results anticipated by noon.

The May elections concluded a decade-long governance by the Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF, thwarting its aspirations for a historic third consecutive term.

The scale of the UDF's triumph was unprecedented in Kerala's political landscape.

This contest across 38 wards provides the first chance to determine if the May election results signify a lasting political transformation or were merely a reflection of that specific electoral event.

The elections encompass various regions in Kerala, including two corporation wards in Ernakulam and Kozhikode, three municipality wards in Thrissur, Palakkad, and Kannur, along with three district panchayat divisions, seven block panchayat wards, and 23 grama panchayat wards.

On paper, the UDF appears to hold an advantage, with 22 of the 38 wards currently occupied by them, while the LDF controls the remaining 15.

One election in Poothrikka panchayat, Ernakulam, was prompted by the resignation of a Twenty20 member, while vacancies in eight wards arose after their members were elected to the Assembly in May.

However, the campaign has quickly evolved beyond local matters.

The Opposition has leveraged issues such as power shortages and controversies surrounding the Chief Minister's travel and ministers' foreign trips to critique the government.

In response, the UDF has emphasized its welfare programs, including the Priyadarshini scheme.

For the LDF, these elections present an early opportunity to reverse the political decline following their Assembly defeat.

Maintaining or regaining influence in local bodies would provide the Opposition front with a much-needed boost in confidence.

The BJP-led NDA has also launched an assertive campaign, aiming to gain traction in this local contest.

Thus, the stakes extend far beyond the 38 wards at play. For the UDF, it is a test of whether the momentum from May is still intact.

For the LDF, it is a chance to demonstrate that the political tide can shift. By Tuesday noon, the results are expected to provide the first grassroots insights.