Local body bypolls begin in 38 wards across Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Voting has begun in the by-elections being held in 38 wards of local self-government institutions across Kerala. Polling began at around 7 am and will conclude at 6 pm. A total of 125 candidates are in the fray.

The by-elections are being held in one ward each of the Ernakulam and Kozhikode corporations, the Chalakudy, Chittur and Mattannur municipalities, and the Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam and Palakkad district panchayats. Polling is also being held in seven block panchayat wards and 23 grama panchayat wards.

Counting of votes will be held tomorrow. This is the first by-election in the state since the UDF government came to power. While the UDF is seeking to retain its seats and demonstrate that there is no anti-incumbency sentiment, the LDF is aiming to win more seats and show that it is on the path to a comeback.