LDF sets eyes on Assembly polls, to ride on momentum attained from civic poll success
The headquarters of major LDF allies are keen to know how its boost from the civic polls will impact the ongoing investigations by central agencies in Kerala.
-
BJP leadership cites incremental gains in civic polls to silence dissenters
-
The golden key to power in Kottayam Municipality is in Bincy's hand
-
Congress leadership comes under fire over civic poll reverses
-
-
Kochi, Thrissur corpns to fall in LDF's kitty with the backing of UDF rebels
Even though LDF could not secure a simple majority in the two corporations, it has the highest number of seats in the two councils.
-
Knives are out for Surendran after BJP's poor civic poll outing
The party could fetch only around 1,600 seats across the state which is gain of a few hundred seats over the 2015 civic polls.
-
UDF piqued over erosion of base in central Kerala
Those who predicted a positive wave in favour of the Congress-led front are at a loss to understand how things could turn negative all of a sudden.
-
How civic bodies are formed when there is no clear majority
The first member at the district, block and grama panchayats would be sworn-in by the respective returning officers.
-
Civic poll results dampen BJP's hopes about Kerala
The BJP’s hopes of capturing at least 40 gram panchaytas and 10 municipalities too could not become a reality.
-
LDF makes merry with Jose's party as UDF fails to cash in on scandals
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will now be able to face the Assembly elections which are going to take place within months, with renewed confidence and strength.
-
Analysis | How CPM blocked the onward march of BJP in Thiruvananthapuram
If in 2019 the vote was to prevent the BJP from coming to power at the Centre, in 2020 polls, it was to prevent the emergence of the first BJP-ruled Corporation in Kerala.
-
Will Jose K Mani make it to the Pinarayi ministry now?
Jose is reportedly not keen on taking up the ministership now as he is not a Member of the Legislative Assembly, according to sources.
-
Kerala civic polls: Repolling in two wards as EVMs fail to show results
The repolling will be held on Friday from 7am to 6pm. The counting of the votes will also take place at 8pm on the same day.
-
Kerala local body poll results | LDF leaves a red trail from North to South
Twenty-20, an independent outfit has not only retained its stronghold Kizhkambalam panchayat but also spread its wings in the neighbouring local bodies in a big way.
-
Analysis: Ration kit is LDF's poll vaccine, UDF scrambles for elusive cues from result data
New political alliances stitched by the LDF – notable the entry of Jose K Mani's KC (M) in the Christian heartland of Kottayam and the LJD in Wayanad – bolstered the left's prospects in these districts, hitherto considered UDF strongholds.
-
LDF 9, UDF 6 but with single seat BJP to rule Kanchiyar panchayat
Suresh Kuzhikattu, lone BJP candidate who won from 8th ward of Kanchiyar panchayat, will be the president.
-
Despite the local body blow, UDF leaders say the coalition’s base is intact in Kerala
Chennithala said local body polls are being fought on local issues and the votes are not political.
-
Big setback to Joseph faction in Thodupuzha
The Jose faction, however, has won two of the four seats it had fielded candidates in.
-
LDF makes huge strides in Pala municipality thanks to Jose K Mani
The results have come as a big relief for Jose K Mani who left and joined the LDF shortly before the local body elections.
-
Kerala local body polls: Counting at 244 centres
The control units of the voting machines would be brought from the strong rooms based on the number of tables set up for counting at the hall.
-
Kerala civic poll results: LDF, UDF hope to come up trumps
It will be known on Wednesday as to how the public has reacted to the political controversies that rocked the state in the last few months.
-
Kerala civic poll results: A lowdown on the counting process
The counting of votes will begin at 8am at the 244 counting centres across the state.
-
Kerala to double COVID tests as more cases likely post polls
The government estimates that if the elections spur more COVID cases then that would start reflecting from Wednesday.
-
HC stays earlier verdict barring repetitive quota for civic body chiefs
The division bench of the Kerala High Court has set aside the verdict of its single bench ordering for freeing up the posts of local body chiefs from the continued reservation on gender or community basis.
-
Poliloquy of the Red, White and Saffron kind in Kerala on eve of poll results
Onmanorama's Prem Udayabhanu offers a peek into the complex line of thoughts adorning key political circles in Kerala on the eve of election results.
-
Poll panel seeks explanation from Pinarayi Vijayan over free vaccine announcement
Alleging that Pinarayi's remark was a violation of the model code of conduct, the opposition United Democratic Front and the BJP had filed complaints with the State Election Commission and the action was taken.
-
Kerala local body polls | 78.64 per cent polling in final phase
Phase 3 polls are being held in the four northern districts – Kozhikode, Malappuram, Kannur and Kasaragod.
-
Local body chiefs’ quota order: HC strikes down order of single bench
The single bench issued the order after the election notification was issued on November 12.
-
Pinarayi upbeat about LDF's poll prospects, predicts IUML's rout
The CM predicted severe setback for the Indian Union Muslim League which has been traditionally strong in north Kerala districts where the last round of the civic polls is being held on Monday, December 14.
-
'Goof-ups too teach us a lesson!' Top electoral officer Meena on losing vote
Chief Electoral Officer of Kerala Teeka Ram Meena says it was a lapse on his part that he could not vote in the local body polls because his name did not figure in the voters' list. Here, Meena recollects similar unanticipated experiences that taught him a lesson.
-
Here's a lowdown on how to vote in the Kerala civic polls
What should we pay attention to when we go to the booth to vote? More importantly, how should one vote? Is there VVPAT this time? What is an end button? How to vote in the local body elections? Here are the answers to all your queries.
-
All eyes on northern Kerala as last four districts go to polls on Monday
The average polling recorded in the first two phases is 74.84 per cent and it remains to be seen whether the third phase will see a higher voter turnout. Over 77 per cent polling was recorded in all four districts in 2015.
-
No COVID test for poll officials, agents: Election Commission
The commission issued the statement as the state completed two phases of the local body elections, on December 8 and 10. The next phase is scheduled for December 14 and the counting is on 16.
-
Opposition terms CM's free Covid vaccine announcement a violation of poll conduct
At his evening briefing on Saturday, the chief minister had categorically stated that the Covid vaccine would be provided free in the state and no one would be charged any money for the same.
-
Ground report: In Kozhikode’s Kottur panchayat, all parties promise to protect a hill
All political parties seek votes vowing to save Chengottumala - a hill that stretches more than 10 kilometers - from a private mining company.
-
NCP in Kerala upset with LDF over seat sharing, UDF invites Mani C Kappen
Kappen said his party, which had contested from more than 400 seats in the 2015 local body polls was given only 165 seats in the present polls.
-
Ground report: Development, arrest of youngsters under UAPA are poll issues in Kozhikode’s Valiyangadi
Political observers say Shuhaib’s entry would split anti-LDF votes and might mar the chances of UDF candidate SK Aboobaker.
-
Higher voter turnout in second phase buoys hopes of UDF more than LDF
The leadership of the United Democratic Front (UDF) was more confident on Thursday than during the first round of the three-phased civic polls.
-
Kerala local body polls phase 2 sees 76.38% voter turnout
Wayanad reported the highest turnout (79.46 per cent) followed by Palakkad (77.97 per cent) and Ernakulam (77.31 per cent). Polling was generally peaceful in the five districts and the voting procedure was smooth save for a few technical snags.
-
A woman footballer & para cricketer are local body poll stars in Malappuram
LDF has fielded former Kerala player Jamsheena from Kalambadi division in Malappuram municipality, while UDF pins its hopes on the big-hitting skills of state para cricketer Vishnu in Kanthalloor in Vattamkulam panchayat.
-
Kerala civic poll results may seal the fate of a few political heavyweights
The results of the Kottayam district panchayat election, which is taking place on Thursday, will be crucial for the political future of Jose K Mani and the Kerala Congress (M) led by P J Joseph.
-
Kerala civic polls | What is in store in second phase
In 2015 the poll percentage in Ernakulam, Palakkad and Wayanad was over 80 per cent and this raises the hopes for better voter turnout this time around.
-
Ground report: Peechi forest dwellers' poll booth is nearby, but they have to travel 25km to reach panchayat office
The residents face difficulties of being part of a large panchayat. They have to travel 25km to reach the panchayat headquarters.
-
Idukki's Malapandaram tribe votes for the first time
The local ST promoter PG Prema had approached the state election commission to obtain voting rights for them.
-
Kerala Civic Polls | Pandemic fears fail to deter voters; Phase 1 sees 72.67% turnout
Alppuzha recorded the highest voter turnout on the day with 77.23% of votes being cast. Idukki recorded 74.56%, Kollam 73.41%, and Pathanamthitta 69.7% voter turnout. Thiruvananthapuram recorded the lowest polling percentage at 69.76.
-
Kerala Chief Electoral officer Teeka Ram Meena's name missing on voters' list
The voter's list was checked on Monday and the collector, noticing that this name was missing on the list, had asked that it be rectified. It seems no action was taken.
-
Pinarayi back in Kannur, goes straight to dead old pal Rairu Nair's home
Pinarayi had last visited the north Kerala district last February.
-
VS, Antony will not vote this time over health concerns
Achuthanandan's son V A Arun Kumar stated the authorities declined his request saying that under the rules postal vote cannot be permitted to him.
-
Stage set for first phase of civic polls in Kerala; parties confident of victory
Adhering to COVID-19 protocols, a total of 88,26,620 electors including 46,68,209 women and 70 transgenders would exercise their franchise in 11,225 polling stations in the first phase of local body elections on Tuesday.
-
Ground report: In Wayanad’s landslide-hit Puthumala, home for victims is main poll issue
55 families remain homeless in the hilly village of Puthumala where a landslide had killed 17 people on August 8, 2019
-
Kerala civic polls | Five districts to vote on Tuesday as open campaign ends
The last day of the open campaign witnessed heated arguments between top leaders of the rival fronts, including Minister Kadakampally Surendran and Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala.
-
Kerala local body polls | Voting guidelines for COVID positive patients
COVID patients and those in quarantine should reach the polling booth wearing PPE kits before 6 pm for casting their votes. However, they will be allowed to vote only after all general voters in line at 6 pm have exercised their franchise.
-
Kerala local body polls: Special postal ballot proposal runs into trouble
Realizing the limitations in executing the plan, the State Election Commission has now asked such voters to apply themselves for special postal votes. The application form for the special ballot is uploaded on the Commission website.
-
Pinarayi alleges Cong, BJP of joining hands against Kerala govt
Pinarayi said at certain places the Congress and the BJP have joined hands publicly to fight against the Left candidates in the local body polls.
-
Kerala will be exempted from Tuesday's nationwide bandh called by farmers
Kerala Karshaka Sangham state secretary K N Balagopal and Karshaka Congress state president Lal Varghese Kalpakavady said alternative modes of agitation will be organized in Kerala on that day.
-
Kerala local body polls | EC to webcast polling in 1,850 sensitive booths
The booths were identified as sensitive based on the report of police chief Loknath Behera.
-
UDF won't have it easy in Malappuram against LDF
So far the UDF has been enjoying an upper hand in the district with the highest population, highest voters and highest number of local bodies.
-
'Rebel' Kochi: 20 rebels in the fray in Kochi corporation elections
In the last elections, four rebels won in Kochi Corporation.
-
Prestige battle to capture 6 corporations in Kerala on
The fronts believe that the outcome of these polls is going to be decisive. A victory would mean that the Assembly seats in the respective corporation areas will also come to their kitty in 2021.
-
1.72 lakh new voters to be provided ID cards days ahead of civic polls
With each local body having 100 to 4,000 new voters, the EROs have to race against time to provide the cards. They intend to distribute the cards with the assistance of anganwadi workers.
-
Ground Report | A Kerala ward fully hidden inside border villages of Tamil Nadu
There are quite a few wards in Kerala that have a portion of their land spilling over into another state, wards that straddle two worlds. But there is none like Ayinkamam ward, in Kerala's southernmost panchayat Parassala.
-
Special voters must submit affidavit for voting at booths
The Labour Commissioner has ordered that the employees in the private sector should also be given paid holiday on the voting day. There should not be any pay cut over the holiday, it said.
-
LDF stalwarts missing in action as campaigning enters final lap
Along with Pinarayi, former Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan, and Kodiyeri Balakrishnan had spruced up the election campaigning for the LDF in the recent past. However, all three are missing in action this time.
-
Kerala civic polls: NSS, SNDP refrain from declaring political stance
Both the outfits explain that the candidate and regional issues are crucial for the local polls, and hence there is no need to announce a common political stance.
-
Local body polls | Early polling for special voters commences
The list of “special voters” has been prepared on the basis of the certified list provided by the district medical officers. The list will be updated till 3 pm on December 7, the eve of the first round of elections.
-
2.5 lakh litre sanitiser ready for Kerala local body polls
The local body polls in Kerala is the first ever election to be held in the southern state this month after the outbreak of the coronavirus infection.
-
Over 20,000 Covid patients, quarantined in first list of special voters
The list was prepared by the health department on Monday based on the assessment made on November 29 and handed over to the collectors.
-
Ground report: Once COVID-19 cluster, Poonthura now sets example with US-style interviews for poll candidates
The youth running Students' Union Library and Recreation Centre, the only library in Poonthura, have done a 'question and answer' session with seven of the 10 candidates in the fray; three are just dummy candidates and so were not invited.
-
State poll panel announces polling day facilities
Kerala is set to conduct a three-phase polling to elect people's representatives for more than 1,000 three-tier local self-government bodies in December.
-
Local body elections in two wards stand cancelled
The development came following the death of candidates Thellayil J Mathew in Kalamassery and MK Mukundan from Pullazhi in Thrissur.
-
Five years after the walkover, CPM faces poll in 22 wards in its Kannur fortress Anthoor
Ground report: LDF set for another clean sweep in Anthoor municipality even as UDF and BJP demand political freedom
-
Special postal ballot for COVID-positive, quarantined voters: Guidelines issued
The state government’s notification issued in this regard says that initially, the list of voters belonging to the districts where polling is scheduled in the first phase on December 8 would be prepared.
-
Offer of million jobs, pension hike, vaccine spices up LDF manifesto
The manifesto, which stresses on the slogan ‘One vote for development; one vote for social harmony’, also says that welfare pensions would be raised to Rs 1,500 from January 2021.
-
Local body polls | Congress ahead in number of candidates for district panchayats
While the Congress which heads the United Democratic Front (UDF) has fielded its candidates in 223 divisions, the CPM - the main party in the rival Left Democratic Front (LDF) - has named its candidates in 201 divisions.
-
Local body polls | Congress, BJP seek central forces for Kannur
A few untoward incidents, including attempts to manhandle candidates, were reported in some parts of the northern district as campaigning picks up for next month's election.
-
Parties to launch campaigns to ensure turnout, alleviate COVID fears
The leaders are confident that the voters will not stay back from exercising their franchise and are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that every vote is polled.
-
Local body polls: Women fight on two fronts as parties reluctant to give out general seats
Political parties tend to discourage women candidates in general seats, especially after the 50% reservation for women came into effect in local self-governments (LSGs) in 2010.
-
Bineesh Kodiyeri's arrest is not a political issue, it is a personal matter: Vijayaraghavan
A Vijayaraghavan talks to Malayala Manorama about the current political controversies and about the upcoming elections.
-
Vagaries of weather too may sway election campaign in COVID season
The electioneers apart from complying with COVID safety norms like wearing masks, maintaining social distance and washing hands frequently during campaign, need to carry an umbrella.
-
Kerala panchayat banks on Karnataka for cash, people's poll wish this time: ATM
Belloor lies 35km east of Kasaragod town and shares its borders with Karnataka. The gram panchayat, however, has no ATMs.
-
My wife or children don't misuse my name, Chennithala on Kodiyeri family saga
As the political battle heats up for the local body elections, Malayala Manorama's Special Correspondent in Thiruvananthapuram Sujith Nair starts a special interview series called 'CrossFire' with prominent political personalities of the state.
-
Press the 'END' button if all candidates don't fit the bill
If voters are not interested in voting for any candidate in the grama panchayat, block panchayat and district panchayat polls they can return after pressing the END button.
-
'Two Leaves' for Jose faction of KC(M), HC rejects P J Joseph plea challenging EC's order
The high court order comes as a huge boost for the Jose K Mani faction which recently became a part of the ruling CPM-led Left Democratic Front in Kerala.
-
Heavy rush to file nominations on last day, 6 Covid+ too file papers
A total of 1,68,028 nomination papers were filed to contest in the 21,865 wards of the 1,199 local bodies in the state. More number of candidates are contesting in this election compared to the last polls.
-
A handbook to implement green protocol in Kerala local body polls
Several directions, including the usage of nature-friedly campaign materials, were mentioned in the Code of Conduct issued by the Election Commission in the wake of the local body polls.
-
Why local body candidates should spell out their political front in future
The Kerala High Court has called for putting in place a mechanism by which the candidates could submit a statement declaring the name of the political front which had chosen them to contest.
-
Polls in the time of pandemic: Smart phones to decide mandate in Kerala this time?
Strategically designed social media campaigns will create a massive impact on the political decisions of the voters as WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram are relied on to spread the word, for campaigns and counter campaigns.
-
Nomination for Kerala local body polls ends today
In view of Covid pandemic, only the candidate, the proposer, and the agent would be allowed to enter the hall where scrutiny is undertaken.
-
A former Pinarayi ally and Madani protege snubbed for his past deeds
The CPM's objection to Poonthura Siraj's candidature is a clear sign that the party wants to scrupulously avoid any electoral pact that would even remotely be seen as flirting with extreme elements.
-
CPM smells trouble, drops Karat Faisal from LDF list in Koduvally
The LDF local leadership had planned to give Faisal an opportunity to contest from a ward of the Koduvally Municipality. However, the CPM Kozhikode district committee sensed this was a risky move and intervened to annul the earlier decision.
-
Voting norms for Covid patients relaxed
Covid patients who are at their homes should come directly to the booth and cast their votes at the end. The health department will issue certificates in advance to such voters.
-
Local bodies poll | Twenty20-model outfits to give mainstream parties a run for their money
Besides Kizhkambalam, the outfit has set its eyes on Kunnathunad, Aikyakkaranadu, Mazhuvannoor and Vengola panchayats.
-
EC freezes 'Two Leaves' symbol of Kerala Congress(M)
The two factions of the KC(M), led by Jose K Mani and P J Joseph, are engaged in a legal battle over official status.
-
Son vs mother & couple challenge: Potpourri of surprises in Kerala local body polls
Panachavila ward in Edamulackal panchayat is witnessing a rare competition between a mother and a son.
-
'Poll a referendum on road project': CPM faces local body test in Kannur's Keezhattoor
A people's collective has taken shape in the CPM stronghold of Keezhattor in Kerala's Kannur district and is contesting the local body elections to take back their village from the clutches of Marxist indifference and its 'corporate agenda'.
-
HC orders rescheduling of reserved posts as general category seats
The court made it clear that the Constitution does not intend to reserve the post of chairperson/president permanently in any place.
-
Local body polls | CPI to go solo in Pala and Kadanad
CPI which took a strident position in the seat-sharing talks is upset over the less number of seats allotted to the party for elections to the local self-government bodies in Pala and Kadanad.
-
Local body polls | CPM, Jose faction may share 9 seats each in Kottayam
Seat-sharing talks here had hit a roadblock when Jose K Mani's faction, which had recently left the UDF camp to side with the Left, demanded that it contest in 11 district panchayat seats citing their dominance in the region.
