The Kerala State Election Commission has reported a total voter turnout of 70.91% in the first phase of the local body polls held on Tuesday across seven districts — Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki and Ernakulam.

Out of the total eligible voters who participated in the election, 71.61% of men, 70.29% of women, and 41.27% of transgender voters cast their votes. Ernakulam registered the highest turnout at 74.57%, while Pathanamthitta recorded the lowest at 66.78%.

Re-polling in Alappuzha's Mannanchery
Re-polling will be conducted on December 11 in the Ambalakadavu ward of Mannanchery grama panchayat after voting failed to conclude due to a malfunctioning Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) at the first polling booth of Mannanchery Government High School.

Clashes in Thiruvananthapuram
Tension prevailed in Vanchiyoor after the BJP alleged that the CPM cast around 200 bogus votes at Booth No. 2. A clash broke out between workers of both parties following the allegation.

BJP district president Karamana Jayan stated that complaints have been filed with the Election Commission and police, accusing polling officials of collusion. He claimed that a woman had voted in two locations — Kunnukuzhy and Vanchiyoor — and alleged irregularities in video recording at the booth, saying officials used mobile phones instead of fixed cameras and began filming nearly two hours late.

Unrest, bogus voting allegations in Ernakulam
While the polling process in Ernakulam was largely peaceful, the day was marked by a few allegations of bogus voting and minor unrest.

The BJP alleged that a case of bogus voting occurred in Maradu municipality's 20th Division (Ambedkar Nagar). Mani Radhakrishnan, the mother of NDA candidate Pradeep Kumar, found her vote had already been cast when she reached Booth No. 20 at Govt VHSS. After the party's complaint, she was permitted to cast a tendered ballot, and the BJP called for the fraudulent voter to be identified.

The UDF also reported similar claims of bogus voting in the Puthukkalavattom and Nambiapuram divisions. In Puthukkalavattom, the UDF alleged that a bogus vote was cast in booth No: 3 at Ashoka World School.

Separately, minor tension was reported at a polling booth in St Mary’s Church in Vilangu, Kizhakambalam. The incident occurred after individuals, reportedly affiliated with the LDF and UDF, attempted to block Twenty20 President Sabu M Jacob from speaking to the media near the booth after casting his vote. Although Jacob eventually left, the argument escalated between workers and media personnel. The police intervened promptly to bring the situation under control. Polling was conducted under police protection in all booths in Kizhakambalam after Twenty20 approached the High Court, citing law and order issues.

SEC thanks voters
State Election Commissioner A Shajahan thanked voters, candidates, political parties, police personnel and officials for ensuring a peaceful first phase of polling. He urged similar cooperation for the second phase scheduled on December 11.

Polling postponed in three wards
Polling was suspended in three wards following the deaths of candidates:
- Vizhinjam (Thiruvananthapuram) — independent candidate Justin Francis died in an accident.
- Ward 10, Onakoor division, Pampakuda panchayat (Ernakulam) — UDF candidate C S Babu (59) died.
- Malappuram — UDF candidate Vattath Haseena (52) died at home on Sunday. 

Political fronts express confidence
The UDF, which secured 37.9% vote share in the last panchayat polls, expressed confidence of making gains, citing anti-incumbency. Leaders, including V D Satheesan, Adoor Prakash, and Ramesh Chennithala, predicted a “historic win,” claiming the Sabarimala gold smuggling issue had weakened the ruling LDF. Satheesan argued the sexual assault case against expelled Congress MLA Rahul Mamkoottathil would not harm the UDF.

The LDF said it remains confident, with CPM general secretary M A Baby asserting that the court-monitored SIT probe would benefit the front, while development projects and welfare pensions remain its strengths. The BJP was pushing to expand its presence, campaigning on issues including Sabarimala temple administration.

A day after actress assault verdict
The polling followed a day after the verdict in the 2017 actress assault case, prompting reactions from political and film personalities. UDF convener Adoor Prakash sparked controversy by supporting actor Dileep, before retracting his statement after backlash. Actors Asif Ali, Renji Panicker, and Lal also said Dileep should be welcomed back to AMMA, respecting the court ruling.

Kerala Local Body Polls 2025
Phase two polling will be held on December 11, and counting on December 13. A total of 1,199 local bodies will go to polls in two phases. Mattannur Municipality is excluded as its council term expires only in 2027. The Commission has set up 33,746 polling stations, including 28,127 in panchayats, 3,604 in municipalities and 2,015 in corporations.

Results from 2020
LDF: 40.2% vote share — 514 grama panchayats, 108 block panchayats, 11 district panchayats, 35 municipalities, 5 corporations.
UDF: 37.9% — 321 grama panchayats and 23 municipalities.
NDA: 15% — won 19 grama panchayats.
Ernakulam recorded 81.01% turnout in 2020, the highest, while Pathanamthitta was the lowest at 69.70%.