Keralam local body bypolls results LIVE: UDF, LDF fight it out in 38 wards
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
Byelection results in 38 local body wards across 12 districts in Keralam serve as the initial significant electoral test for the Congress-led UDF government. The voting commenced at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, with a voter turnout of 58.81%. A total of 182,160 voters participated, comprising 98,090 women and 84,070 men.
The contest saw 126 candidates vying for 38 wards, including two Corporation wards, three municipality wards, three district panchayat wards, seven block panchayat wards, and 23 grama panchayat wards.
In Ernakulam district, the United Democratic Front (UDF) managed to retain its status quo, securing two seats out of the four bypoll wards. In contrast, the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Twenty20 Party successfully maintained one ward each. The UDF retained the Kuttichira ward in the Kozhikode Corporation, with IUML candidate Farseena Arakkal edging out UDF candidate Fathima Thahiliya by a margin of only 436 votes.
This outcome marks a setback for the UDF, which had maintained a significant lead in the 2025 local body polls.
As counting unfolded across the 38 local wards, the stakes for the UDF, LDF, and the BJP continued to loom large. The results will undoubtedly shape the political landscape in Keralam as the UDF government consolidates its gains following the 2026 Assembly elections.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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