The CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) faced a major setback in the 2025 local body elections in Kerala. In contrast, the Congress-led United Democratic Front recorded a strong comeback across corporations, municipalities, and panchayats.

However, the standout result came from Thiruvananthapuram. The BJP-led NDA emerged as the single-largest front in the prestigious Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. It won 50 of the 101 wards in a civic body that the LDF had controlled.

Counting Held Across the State

Authorities counted votes on Saturday. Polling took place in two phases on December 9 and December 11. Counting happened at several centres across the State.

UDF Wins Majority of Local Bodies

According to data released by the State Election Commission at 7.30 p.m., the UDF won four of Kerala’s six Corporations. These were Kollam, Kochi, Thrissur, and Kannur.

The UDF also secured major gains at the grassroots level. It won 505 of the 941 grama panchayats, 79 block panchayats, seven of the 14 district panchayats, and 54 of the 86 municipalities.

LDF Loses Ground Across Kerala

The LDF had controlled five Corporations in 2020. This time, it managed to win only Kozhikode.

It secured 340 grama panchayats, 63 block panchayats, seven district panchayats, and 28 municipalities. The results showed a sharp decline in its support across urban and rural local bodies.

BJP-Led NDA’s Urban Breakthrough

The BJP-led NDA achieved its biggest success in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. It had served as the main Opposition there between 2020 and 2025.

Apart from the Corporation, the NDA won 26 grama panchayats and two municipalities. The party also improved its performance in several other urban local bodies.

Tied Results and Others’ Performance

Results in 75 local bodies ended in a tie. These included 64 grama panchayats, 10 block panchayats, and one municipality.

Other parties and Independents won six grama panchayats and one municipality.

Ward-Level Performance Across Kerala

At the ward level, the UDF led in grama panchayats. It won 9,015 of the 17,337 wards. The LDF followed with 6,559 wards. The BJP-led NDA won 1,444 wards, while others and Independents secured 1,273.

In block panchayats, the UDF won 1,241 of the 2,267 wards. The LDF won 923. The NDA-BJP secured 54, while others won 49.

In district panchayats, the UDF won 171 of the 346 wards. The LDF won 109. The NDA-BJP and others won one ward each.

Municipal and Corporation Ward Results

In municipal wards, the UDF won 1,458 of the 3,240 wards. The LDF won 1,100. The BJP-led NDA secured 324. Others and Independents won 323.

In Corporation wards, the UDF won 187 of 421 wards. The LDF won 125. The BJP won 93. Other parties and Independents won 15 wards.

Thiruvananthapuram Corporation Details

The Thiruvananthapuram Corporation has 101 wards. A party needs 51 seats to form a majority. Elections took place in only 100 wards. Polling in the Vizhinjam ward is pending after a candidate’s death delayed the vote.

Prominent Wins and Losses

Several well-known leaders won seats in the 2025 polls. Former Congress MLA Anil Akkara won from Adat panchayat in Thrissur. Congress leader and former MLA K. Sabarinadhan won from the Kowdiar ward in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation.

BJP candidate and former DGP R. Sreelekha won from the Sasthamangalam ward in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation.

On the losing side, Kollam Corporation Mayor Honey Benjamin and former Mayor V. Rajendrababu, both from the LDF, failed to retain their seats.

Next Steps After the Results

Newly elected members and councillors will take their oath on December 21. The election results drew strong attention as Kerala prepares for the 2026 State Assembly elections. Many see the local body polls as a key political indicator.

Voter Turnout and Counting Process

The combined voter turnout in the two phases stood at 73.69 per cent. A total of 2,10,79,609 voters cast their ballots out of 2,86,07,658 eligible voters across Kerala’s 14 districts.

Officials counted votes at 244 centres. Counting began at 8 a.m. with postal ballots issued to election staff. Authorities declared the final results by Saturday evening.