Kerala Local Body Elections: First Phase Voting Underway Amidst Confidence in UDF Victory

The first phase of Kerala's local body elections began with UDF Convenor Adoor Prakash confidently predicting a win for his party. The State Election Commissioner reported peaceful polling across the involved districts, although polling in Vizhinjam was paused due to a candidate's death. The elections are being held over two phases.

The initial phase of Kerala's local body elections commenced with United Democratic Front (UDF) Convenor Adoor Prakash expressing firm confidence in his party's triumph.

State Election Commissioner A Shajahan described the peaceful conduct of voting across seven districts, emphasizing Thiruvananthapuram's 7.7 percent voter turnout, Kochi's nine percent, and Kollam's 7.9 percent.

However, voting in Vizhinjam was halted following a candidate's sudden death. The elections involve 1,199 local bodies, with outcomes expected from December 9 and 11, and results on December 13.

(With inputs from agencies.)