People queue up to cast their vote at a polling station in Thripunithura on Tuesday. | Photo credit: THULASI KAKKAT
Ernakulam witnessed an impressive voter turnout of nearly 75% as polling for 111 local bodies ended on Tuesday, leaving political fronts crossing their fingers for the result to be revealed on Saturday. According to the final figures, the constituency recorded a voter turnout of 74.59%.
Out of the total number of 26,67,746 voters in the district, 19,89,881 exercised their right to vote. A total of 75.9% of male voters, 73.38% of female voters and 37.5% of transgender people cast their vote.
The voting percentage surpassed the 2020 figure of 72.49%, with municipalities recording 75.09% and three-tier panchayats 77.14% turnout. Kochi Corporation saw a lower turnout of 62.52% compared to the rest of the local bodies, which is in line with the electoral records of previous polls.
The initial hours of polling witnessed brisk voting across the district with 22.52% voters exercising their franchise by 10:00 am.
Industries Minister P. Rajeeve along with his wife and daughter voted on St. Paul’s College, Kalamasery, while Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan exercised his franchise at Kesari College, North Paravur. The result in their home constituency could be crucial for both leaders as local opinion polls are tipped to be semi-finals ahead of next year’s parliamentary elections. District Collector G. Priyanka and husband Nitish Sinha cast their vote at SRV School in Ernakulam.
All the main fronts exuded confidence in improving their results in opinion polls and cited the overall voter turnout as a mandate indicator in their favor. While the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) claimed a historic victory on the front in the district, the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) said the opposition’s campaign around the alleged anti-enforcement has collapsed.
“The UDF will achieve an uncontested victory this time. It was an election that saw absolute political debate. The initial surge in polls indicates that people were determined to vote against LDF rule in the state,” District Congress Committee President Muhammed Shiyas said.
CPI(M) district secretary S. Sathish said the LDF would retain the corporation and wrest the municipalities and panchayats from the UDF. “There was no opposing candidate in the polls. If there was a trend against the government, there would have been an increase in the poll percentage,” he said.
BJP district president (Ernakulam city) KS Shyju claimed that BJP will get more wards in the Corporation and win Thripunithura village and Kuzhuppilly grama panchayat.
Published – 9 Dec 2025 21:31 IST
