The high-decibel public campaign for the first phase of Kerala's crucial local body elections drew to a close on Sunday evening. The political stage is now set for voters across seven districts to cast their ballots on Tuesday, marking a significant electoral battle seen as a semi-final before next year's state assembly polls.
Final Day Frenzy and Key Electoral Stakes
The last day of open campaigning was marked by vibrant roadshows, energetic bike rallies, and enthusiastic foot marches, often accompanied by traditional drum beats and dancing. Unlike the centralized rallies typical of larger elections, the campaign finale focused on ward-level gatherings known as 'kottikalasam' at major junctions.
The stakes in this two-phase civic poll are exceptionally high for the major political fronts. The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF), led by the CPI(M), aims to consolidate support for a record third consecutive term in government. The opposition United Democratic Front (UDF), spearheaded by the Congress, is banking on what it claims is a strong anti-incumbency sentiment against the state government.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), is campaigning vigorously to establish district-level strongholds and widen its footprint in the state. The party is specifically targeting key civic bodies, including the prestigious Thiruvananthapuram corporation.
Scandals and Allegations Dominate Campaign Discourse
The campaign trail was heavily dominated by two major controversies, which kept both the LDF and UDF on the defensive. The Sabarimala gold smuggling scam, which led to the arrest of CPI(M) leaders A Padmakumar and N Vasu, posed a significant challenge for the LDF. In response, the CPI(M) defended its position by promising stringent action against anyone involved, irrespective of their rank.
Similarly, the UDF faced setbacks from serious sexual allegations against its now-expelled Palakkad MLA, Rahul Mankootathil. The Congress swiftly expelled him from the party following accusations of rape and forced abortion, but the issue continued to echo during the campaign.
Amid these controversies, the LDF campaigned heavily on its development and welfare initiatives, while the UDF focused its attack on allegations of corruption and misgovernance by the Pinarayi Vijayan government. The BJP highlighted promises of development and the potential for enhanced central support if it gains ground.
Phase 1 Polling Details and Voter Statistics
Polling on Tuesday, December 8, will cover the southern districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, and Ernakulam. The remaining seven districts will vote in the second phase on December 11.
In this first phase, voting will be conducted across a vast electoral landscape:
- 15,342 polling stations will be set up.
- Polls will be held for 11,168 wards spread across 595 local bodies.
- This includes 8,310 wards in 472 grama panchayats, 1,090 wards in 75 block panchayats, 164 wards in seven district panchayats, 1,371 wards in 39 municipalities, and 233 wards in three corporations.
A total of 36,630 candidates are in the fray. The electoral roll for these districts comprises 6,251,219 male voters, 7,032,444 female voters, and 126 transgender voters. Additionally, there are 456 pravasi (NRI) voters eligible to cast their ballots in this phase.
With the campaign silence now in effect, all eyes are on Tuesday's vote, which will provide the first clear indicator of the public mood and set the momentum for the assembly elections scheduled for 2021.
