UDF Triumphs in Kerala Local Body Elections Amidst Competitive Landscape

Election Results in Kerala's Local Bodies

In the recent local body elections held in Kerala, the United Democratic Front (UDF) secured victories in the Vizhinjam and Payimpadam wards, while the Left Democratic Front (LDF) emerged victorious in the Onakkur ward. These elections were necessitated by the unfortunate demise of candidates prior to the polls, affecting the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation's Vizhinjam ward, the Onakkur ward in Ernakulam district's Pampakuda panchayat, and the Payimpadam ward in Malappuram district's Moothadam panchayat.

In Vizhinjam, UDF candidate K.H. Sudheer Khan won by a narrow margin of 83 votes, garnering a total of 2,902 votes against the LDF. Meanwhile, in Payimpadam, UDF candidate Korambail Jubeda defeated independent candidate Sabina Teacher by a margin of 222 votes. The LDF maintained its hold in the Onakkur ward, where candidate C.B. Rajiv won by 221 votes.

The overall voter turnout across the three wards was recorded at 69.15%. Vizhinjam saw a turnout of 66.97%, while Payimpadam and Onakkur had significantly higher turnouts of 84.21% and 81.57%, respectively. The UDF's victories in the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation's Vizhinjam ward and the Payimpadam ward in Malappuram district mark a notable achievement, contrasting with the LDF's success in the Onakkur ward.

Significant Political Shifts in Thiruvananthapuram

In a broader context, the recent municipal elections in Thiruvananthapuram witnessed a historic win for the BJP, which claimed victory in 50 wards, effectively ending decades of leftist governance in the capital. The LDF secured 29 wards, while the UDF made notable progress by winning 19 wards. With the victory in Vizhinjam, the UDF's representation in the municipal corporation has increased to 20 seats.