The results of the Kerala Local Body by-polls, held across 38 wards in 12 districts, were announced on September 29, 2026, marking a significant electoral shift in the region.
The Kerala Local Body by-polls for 38 wards across 12 districts concluded on September 29, 2026. This election marked the first major local electoral challenge for the V.D. Satheesan government, which took office earlier this year. The Left Democratic Front (LDF) made significant gains, while the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) saw a slight decline in its overall tally of sitting seats compared to previous elections.
According to the final figures from the Kerala State Election Commission (SEC), the results were as follows:
The United Democratic Front (UDF) won 18 seats, losing four sitting seats but capturing four from the LDF. The Left Democratic Front (LDF) secured 16 seats, gaining ground by wresting seven seats from the UDF. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and Twenty20 managed to retain one seat, while independents won three seats in specific local panchayat wards.
In the municipal corporation wards, notable victories included Ajith Kumar A.K. from the UDF, who won in the Ayyappankkavu Division of the Kochi Corporation, defeating P.K. Usman of the CPI(M) by a margin of 549 votes. In the Kozhikode Corporation’s Kuttichira Ward, Farseena Arakkal (UDF/IUML) retained her seat against her LDF opponent, albeit with a reduced majority of 436 votes.
Turning to block panchayat results, O. Pailappan (UDF) achieved a crucial victory in the traditionally Left-leaning Chelakkara Block Panchayat’s Kurumala Ward, winning by 345 votes. Meanwhile, V R Ramesh (LDF/CPI) successfully retained the Edathirinji Division seat in the Vellangallur Block Panchayat, defeating candidates from both the NDA and UDF.
In Thalikulam Panchayat’s Ward 13, Viji Krishna Ghosh (LDF) won by a narrow margin of 29 votes following the passing of the previous member. Bindu Kumari (LDF) also secured a close victory in Pattanchery Panchayat, winning by just 18 votes.
In the grama panchayat wards, Jose Kuniyathodathu (UDF) retained the Madaplathuruth Ward in Vadakkekara Grama Panchayat with 611 votes, defeating CPI(M)’s Laiju Joseph, who garnered 471 votes. Sugandhi Joshy (LDF/CPI-M) comfortably held the Puliyanam South Ward in Parakkadavu Grama Panchayat, securing 575 votes against UDF’s Mallika, who received 368 votes.
Deenamma Jacob (Twenty20) won in Kizhakkambalam Grama Panchayat’s Ward 6 with 339 votes, defeating the UDF candidate by a margin of 96 votes. Sunny Varghese (LDF) registered a clear victory in Pampady Grama Panchayat’s 10th Ward, while Preetha Prasad (UDF) emerged victorious in Meenadam Grama Panchayat’s 1st Ward.
Elsamma Tom (UDF) won by 178 votes in Muttam Grama Panchayat’s Thodanganad Ward, and Anila Suresh (UDF) secured the Kalleli Ward in Aruvappulam Grama Panchayat by a margin of 112 votes, totaling 381 votes. C.S. Sunil (UDF) successfully retained the Pazhayakada Ward in Thirupuram Grama Panchayat, while the LDF candidate captured the Mundakkal Ward in Mangalapuram Grama Panchayat from the opposition.
In the municipalities, the Chalakudy Municipality’s Municipal Office Ward saw tight seat exchanges between the fronts, while the Paruthikavu Ward in Chittur-Thathamangalam Municipality was formally finalized under the regional tallies. The LDF also registered key holds in the Uruvachal Ward of Mattannur Municipality.
The September 2026 local body by-polls in Kerala served as a significant electoral test for the ruling UDF government, resulting in a reduced seat tally and lower vote share for the front. Meanwhile, the opposition LDF capitalized on localized administrative issues, successfully wresting multiple sitting wards.
These results reflect the evolving political landscape in Kerala, as parties reassess their strategies in response to voter sentiment and local governance challenges.
According to The Sunday Guardian.