As the first phase of inspection of electronic voting machines (EVMs) for the upcoming assembly elections began in Kozhikode on Saturday (January 3), both the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Left Democratic Front (LDF)-led Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) appeared to have plunged into election mode and recalibrated their local strategies.
Buoyed by its success in capturing the district panchayat, the Congress-Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) association has begun preparatory exercises to identify potential candidates for the 13 assembly segments of the district. The Congress, which has been without a representative from Kozhikode in the State Assembly for the last 25 years, is hoping to reverse its fortunes this time. Efforts are underway to shortlist candidates with organizational strength and electoral appeal. Meanwhile, aspirants have started actively lobbying to secure nominations in constituencies perceived as winnable.
Though the IUML has one MLA from the district representing Koduvally constituency in the State Assembly, the party is also trying to improve its performance and is also planning to exchange a few seats with the Congress to improve its prospects. They are likely to field a mix of experienced leaders and younger faces.
In the wake of back-to-back defeats it suffered in the Lok Sabha and the three-phase local body polls, the LDF is using internal reviews, surveys and the government’s public response to gauge sentiment against the government before moving fully into Assembly election mode. Only after feedback mechanisms are in place will the forward strategy deploy veterans or new candidates to adapt to the current political climate. However, the CPI(M) has directed its local units to start preparations for the parliamentary polls, signaling the early start of organizational preparations and door-to-door outreach programmes.
Adding a new layer of electoral complexity is the BJP-led NDA, which has evolved from a fringe player to a three-way contender in at least some constituencies like Kozhikode North, Kozhikode South, Kunnamangalam and Elathur. Incidentally, the BJP doubled its strength in the 76-member Kozhikode corporation to 13 seats and defeated the Congress mayoral candidate by a landslide.
Meanwhile, the first phase of inspection of EVMs and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) to be used in the 2026 assembly elections in the district has started at the EVM and VVPAT warehouse in Chathamangalam. The process is under the supervision of District Collector Snehil Kumar Singh, who is also the District Election Officer, with the inspection conducted by authorized engineers from Bharat Electronics Limited.
Published – 03 Jan 2026 20:14 IST
