Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: Kerala local body elections began on Tuesday, with the first phase of polling in seven districts underway. Voters in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki and Ernakulam will cast their ballots today.

Notably, polling was called off in two wards due to the sudden death of candidates; one at Vizhinjam in Thiruvananthapuram due to the death of independent candidate Justin Francis in a road accident. Another in Ernakulam following the death of 59-year-old UDF candidate CS Babu at Ward 10, Onakoor of Pampakuda panchayat.

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The local body elections are considered as a litmus test of nine years of Left Democratic Front (LDF) rule ahead of the 2026 assembly elections.  The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

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