Keralam local body bypolls results LIVE: UDF, LDF fight it out in 38 wards
You don’t have any Active Subscription.
Account subscription benefits alongside Premium Stories, Editorials, Opinions and more. Unlock these with Subscription
Ayyappankkavu UDF candidate Ajith Kumar A.K. and party workers celebrate after the former's local body bypoll victory on Tuesday (September 29, 2026) | Photo Credit: special arrangement
The results of byelections in 38 local body wards across 12 districts in Keralam is seen as the first major electoral test for Congress-led UDF government, which is riding high on the overwhelming mandate it received in 2026 Assembly polls. The counting of the polled votes began across multiple centres at 10 a.m. on Tuesday (September 29, 2026).
The bypolls held to 38 local body wards in Keralam on Monday (September 28, 2026) saw a voter turnout of 58.81%.
In all, 1,82,160 voters exercised their franchise. This included 98,090 women and 84,070 men. In all, 126 candidates were in the fray. The 38 local body wards — in 12 districts — included two Corporation wards, three municipality wards, three district panchayat wards, seven block panchayat wards and 23 grama panchayat wards.
Political fronts have managed to maintain status quo in Ernakulam district as the results of the local body bypolls were declared on Tuesday. Of the four wards which went to the bypolls, the United Democratic Front (UDF) retained its two seats, while the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Twenty20 Party have maintained one each.
The United Democratic Front (UDF) retains the Kuttichira ward in the Kozhikode Corporation in the byelection. However, the majority held by the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) candidate, Farseena Arakkal, came down to 436 votes, compared with that of Fathima Thahiliya, who, as the UDF candidate, had secured 2,273 votes more than her Left Democratic Front (LDF) opponent in the 2025 local body polls.
Counting begins in 38 Kerala local wards: UDF’s test, LDF opposition, and BJP stakes loom large.
UDF holds Ayyappankkavu in Kochi bypoll as Ajith Kumar AK wins maiden contest, extending UDF strength in the 76-member council.
Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.
We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.
