KOCHI: Counting of votes for 1,199 local bodies in Kerala began at 8 am on Saturday, with postal ballots counted first, followed by EVM votes. The State Election Commission (SEC) reported initial trends showing the ruling LDF, the opposition UDF, and the NDA leading in various gram panchayat, block panchayat, municipality, and corporation wards. Counting is underway at 244 centres and 14 district collectorates.Live Updates:
- By 9.06 am, the NDA lost some momentum, with leads dropping to 10 in gram panchayats, 1 in block panchayat, 4 in municipalities, and 0 in municipal corporations.
- Trends at 8.51am indicated the LDF leading in 136 Gram Panchayat seats, while the UDF led in 113. Among 87 municipalities, the LDF and UDF were leading in 29 and 28 seats, respectively.
Some issues were reported at a few centres, including Thiruvananthapuram, Palakkad, and Vadakara, over entry of booth agents and candidates.The results are seen as an important indicator ahead of the 2026 Kerala assembly elections, shaping the future campaigning strategies of political parties and fronts in the state. The oath-taking ceremonies for elected panchayat members and municipal councillors will be held at 10 am on December 21, while corporation councillors will take oath at 11am the same day.
