Key political fronts remain hopeful of an impressive voter turnout across 13 municipalities in Ernakulam in the local body polls, as the total poll percentage had witnessed a marginal dip in 2020 compared to the situation in 2015.
The total voting percentage in the 13 municipalities in 2020 was around 79% in the election held in 2020. The corresponding figure was around 82% in 2015. Five municipalities had recorded a voter turnout of above 80% in 2020. It included Muvattupuzha, Perumbavoor, Angamaly, North Paravur, and Eloor. Koothattukulam, Thripunithura, Kothamangalam, Aluva, Kalamassery, Maradu, and Piravom had registered a total turnout between 75% and 80% last time. Thrikkakara municipality had recorded the lowest turnout in 2020 (around 72%). The polling had gone down by nearly 6.22% in Thrikkakara compared to the total turnout in 2015.
The campaign managers of the key fronts pointed out that multiple factors, including the floating population, had affected the turnout in urban local bodies like Thrikkakara municipality. A.G. Udayakumar, area secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] in Thrikkakara, referred to the case of voters in apartment units, who may not be able to cast their votes as they remain abroad. “Thrikkakara has a floating population. It has also seen a reluctance on the part of a section of the electorate in exercising their franchise. However, the politically-conscious electorate will continue to cast their votes,” he said.
The political fronts have stepped up their efforts to ensure an increase in voter turnout this time by reaching out to the voters. Najeeb Kalamassery, president of the Congress party’s mandalam committee in Kalamassery, said that the ‘sure’ votes will be cast without fail. He said that the total voter turnout may go up this time, though a section of the voters may decide otherwise.
“We have worked out plans to ensure maximum turnout in the wards across the municipality,” he said. Ajith Kumar, mandalam president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Thripunithura, who is also contesting the election, said that the total polling percentage is likely to go up this time compared to the election held in 2020 in view of the keen contest in the municipality. With only a few days left, the campaign has peaked amid hopes of an improved turnout at the polling booths on December 9, he said.
Published – December 02, 2025 09:59 pm IST
