Actor Vijayaraghavan queuing up to cast his vote at Olassa CMS school in Aymanam panchayat, Kottayam, accompanied by his family, on Tuesday. | Photo credit: VISHNU PRATHAP
Kottayam on Tuesday saw a drop in voter turnout in the local body elections compared to the previous two elections.
According to preliminary data available to the State Election Commission, 70.76% of voters exercised their right to vote in the constituency when voting closed at 6 p.m. Out of 16,41,176 voters in the constituency, 11,61,255 voters voted. However, the district recorded the lowest number of polls compared to the previous two local body elections held in 2020 and 2015, which recorded a polling percentage of 73.92% and 78.30%. Despite vigorous campaigning by political parties, voter turnout declined significantly in all municipalities except Erattupetta, which saw a slight increase.
Sister Annamma Joseph, a 90-year-old nun who is confined to a wheelchair, arrives at Vazhappally School St. Teresa’s School to cast her vote on Tuesday. | Photo credit: VISHNU PRATHAP
Erattupetta civic body recorded a voting percentage of 85.71%, up from 85.35% in 2020. Meanwhile, Changanassery municipality reported the lowest voter turnout of 68.05%. In Kottayam municipality, where the United Democratic Front (UDF) had earlier won power through a lottery, the voting percentage was 68.17%.
Among the block panchayats, Vaikom recorded the highest voter turnout of 78.80% and Madappally recorded the lowest with 67.01%.
Ports Minister VN Vasavan arrives to cast his vote at MGM School, Pampady. | Photo credit: VISHNU PRATHAP
Elections remained largely peaceful in the constituency, although procedures were halted for some time in several polling stations after electronic voting machines (EVMs) developed technical problems. Mild tension was reported in Ward 19 of Pala Municipality when rebel Congress candidate Maya Rahul and her husband Rahul PR got into a heated argument with some Congress workers. The police immediately intervened to calm the situation.
Published – 9 Dec 2025 20:04 IST
