'Low turnout' panic for political parties; Phase 2 of Kerala local body polls today

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The low turnout in the first phase of the local body elections has left many political parties in Kerala anxious. The calculations and surveys are giving nightmares to many councillor hopefuls. Even during the COVID-19 era, there was a 73.84% turnout. This has now dipped to 70.91%.

It is estimated that women and youth abstained from voting this time. About half of the total seats have women as candidates. Three out of five of the candidates are women. Yet it is curious that women showed reluctance to vote.

The parties are making a concerted effort to bring maximum voters to the booths in the second phase, which is being held from Thrissur to Kasaragod today.

There are allegations that the ‘inaccurate’ voter list has deprived many people of their right to vote. For example, former MLA, senior IAS officer Mohandas and actor Mammootty, despite being well-known, failed to find their names in the list.

The central government's radical voter list revision, which began during the local elections, created confusion. Many did not know that there were two central voter lists and local voter lists. The feeling of political interference in the voter list reduced interest. The loss of credibility of major political parties also alienated voters.

1. Women abstained due to various political controversies

2. Youth participation decreased due to a high exodus to foreign countries for studies

3. With the SIR controversy, interest in checking names in the local body list also decreased

4. Lapse in the name addition process.

5. Financial expenses dampened the enthusiasm of the activists

Voting will be held today in the second phase of the local body elections in Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod districts. Voting is underway in 12,391 wards in 604 local bodies. Voting will be held from 7 am to 6 pm. There are a total of 1,53,37,176 voters. Candidates were elected unopposed in each ward of two gram panchayats in Kasaragod, five wards in Anthoor Municipality in Kannur district and nine wards in 2 gram panchayats.