Thiruvananthapuram: Public campaigning for the first phase of Kerala’s local body elections concluded on Sunday evening, bringing an end to weeks of political rallies, roadshows, and outreach programs by all major parties. The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF), and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) expressed confidence in their prospects, with each front projecting optimism about their performance in the upcoming polls.

The first phase of polling is scheduled for Tuesday, December 9, covering seven districts: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Idukki, Kottayam, and Ernakulam. The second phase will follow on Thursday, December 11, for the remaining districts. Votes across both phases are set to be counted on Saturday, December 13.

Election activity in Kerala has been intense, with roadshows, rallies, and displays of political strength at major intersections across the state dominating the final hours of campaigning. Party workers and supporters engaged in spirited demonstrations of support, while Monday, December 8, is designated as the “silent campaign” day ahead of polling.

This election cycle covers a vast number of wards and local bodies across the state. Except for 14 wards where LDF candidates were elected uncontested, elections will be held in 17,337 wards across 941 gram panchayats, 2,267 wards in 152 block panchayats, 346 wards in 14 district panchayats, 3,205 wards in 86 municipalities, and 421 wards across six corporations over both phases. The first phase alone will see elections in 11,168 wards across 595 local bodies, with over 36,000 candidates contesting in total.

The high-profile urban local bodies, particularly Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, and Kochi Corporations, are among the most closely watched contests. Currently governed by the LDF, these urban centers are witnessing fierce triangular battles. In Thiruvananthapuram, the Congress has highlighted former MLA K.S. Sabarinathan as a key mayoral candidate, while the BJP has put forward ex-DGP R. Sreelekha as a potential candidate for leadership.

Key issues influencing the polls span both governance and public concerns. Among the topics raised during campaigning are the Sabarimala gold pilferage controversy, serious sexual assault allegations against expelled Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, inflation and price rise, and delays in the expansion of national highways. These issues have been widely debated across party platforms, shaping voter perceptions ahead of the elections.

The polling in the first phase is expected to see high voter engagement, reflecting the competitive nature of the elections and the broad spectrum of issues at stake. Political analysts note that the outcomes in the seven districts will set the tone for the second phase and may influence strategies and alliances moving forward.

The local body elections are significant for Kerala, not only as a measure of political strength for major parties but also as a reflection of the public mood on governance, development, and law-and-order issues. With tight contests in urban centers and a large number of rural wards in play, the results on December 13 are eagerly anticipated across the state.