JOIN USThe first phase of the crucial local body election in seven of 14 districts of Kerala held on Monday saw a 76.2 per cent voter turnout, according to figures released by the State Election Commission.
The first phase turnout is low when compared with 2010 figure of 77.3 per cent. In the morning, rain affected voter turnout in the two southern districts of Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam. Minor clashes were reported from Kozhikode, Kannur, Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam.
While Wayanad topped the turnout list with 80 per cent, Thiruvananthapuram with 69 per cent recorded the lowest. Kollam (73.67 per cent), Idukki (80.85 per cent), Kozhikode 77.34 per cent, Kannur (73.65 per cent) and Kasaragod (77.31 per cent) are the other districts that went to poll.
A total of 31,161 candidates sought mandate in the first phase across 395 grama panchayats, 866 block panchayats, seven district panchayats, 31 municipalities and four municipal corporations. The seven districts cover more than 1.11 crore voters. The local body election comes about six months ahead of next year’s Assembly election and carries greater significance in the state’s ever-evolving political spaces, now featuring an ambitious BJP as it tries to stitch an alliance with the Ezhava community leadership.
For the two prominent fronts in the state, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the CPM-led opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF), the election goes beyond mere numbers. The UDF has found itself in fresh trouble following a vigilance court order for further investigation into the bar bribery scandal involving Finance Minister K M Mani.
The opposition, meanwhile, is trying to capitalise on a season of scams to pin down the ruling front. It has also repeatedly talked about possibilities of a “weakened” ruling coalition after the poll, pointing at a potentially crucial shift of political alliances ahead of the Assembly election. CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said the election result would signal the beginning of the end for the UDF while Congress leaders.