Kerala local body polls 2025 results LIVE: Political fronts wait with bated breath as counting of votes set to begin

The politically sensitive areas in Kozhikode district have been placed under an extensive security blanket again as part of the preparations in place to counter incidents of violence and unhealthy celebrations after the announcement of local body election results. Areas that witnessed tensions and isolated clashes during the election campaign and the day of polling will be brought under the close surveillance of Rapid Action Force. 

The support of more than 7,000 police officers will be ensured across the district to maintain law and order. Armed police personnel from various battalions will be on duty near the 20 counting centres in the district, with senior police officers conducting detailed reviews of the arrangement on Friday (December 13, 2025). Instructions were also issued to various Station House Officers to closely monitor ground-level developments and ensure rapid intervention in the event of disturbances.

All the major fronts in Idukki are expecting a stunning victory in the local body elections, the results of which are scheduled to be out on Saturday. 

While the United Democratic Front (UDF) is hoping to reclaim its stronghold, the Left Democratic Front (LDF) is expecting to continue its 2020 local body election victory in the district. Meanwhile, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is hoping to deepen its influence and take over the administration of a few panchayats. Three Tamil Nadu-based political parties too are expecting to win some seats.

The counting of votes for the local body election will be held at 20 centres in Kannur district.

Counting for panchayats will take place at block-level centres, while municipalities and the Corporation will count votes at their respective centres. Postal ballots for the district panchayats will be counted separately at the collectorate under the supervision of the District Collector. Counting will begin at 8 a.m.

Officials will first verify the seals and special tags on the control units kept at the counting tables in the presence of candidates or their counting and election agents before starting the process. Postal ballots will be counted first at the Returning Officer’s table, followed by votes recorded in the electronic voting machines. Counting at each table will take place in the presence of the candidates or their authorised counting agents.

The councillors of the Kozhikode Corporation for the 2020–25 term had an emotional farewell at the Corporation office on Friday (December 12, 2025), marked by mementos, a group photograph, and a high tea. The council had strategically chosen the day between the polling day and the counting day of the local body elections. The current council will remain in power until the new council takes charge, possibly before December 20.

A day ahead of the declaration of the local body polls results, the three major fronts are confident of improving upon their performance compared to the previous years. With the United Democratic Front (UDF), which is now holding just 10 out of the 100 wards in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, making a bigger push this time around, the possibilities of even a hung verdict is being talked about.

Sources from the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) appeared confident of winning more than the 51 wards that the front won last time. Most of the LDF leaders said that the front is sure of 38-40 wards, while there are 10-15 more wards where it has chances of winning comfortably.

The Kozhikode Corporation, despite the high-profile contest, recorded the lowest polling rate in the district. 

While most other local bodies in the district had more than 75% polling, it was just 69.55% in the Kozhikode Corporation. Incidentally, the polling percentage has been declining steadily in the city over the years, with 74.78% in 2015 and 70.49% in 2020.

“Most youngsters are out of the State either for education or employment as they have no opportunities here. The State government is responsible for it,” said K. Praveen Kumar, president of the District Congress Committee.

Ernakulam district is all set for counting of votes, which will decide the fate of candidates who contested the politically crucial local body elections. All arrangements are in place for counting for 2,219 wards of 111 local bodies which will take place at 28 centres on Saturday (December 13, 2025).

A total of 7,374 candidates are awaiting people’s mandate after polling to elect representatives in 82 grama panchayats, 14 block panchayats, 13 municipalities and the Kochi Corporation was held on December 9. Polling in ward 10 (Onakkoor) of Pampakuda panchayat was postponed following the death of candidate C.S. Babu.