Record turnout in Kerala: High voting percentage sparks "Wave" claims from LDF, UDF, and BJP

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala recorded a heavy turnout as elections to the 140 assembly constituencies concluded on Thursday. According to the latest figures, the state recorded a voter turnout of 78.20 percent, a significant increase from the 74.06 percent seen in 2021. The highest number of people voted in the Chittoor constituency, while the lowest turnout was recorded in Pathanamthitta. Notably, voter participation in Kozhikode and Palakkad crossed the 80 percent mark.

The major political fronts are counting on this heavy turnout to be an advantage. UDF leaders suggest that the large crowds at booths, including the elderly and young first-time voters, are a clear sign of a wave in their favour. However, LDF leaders claim the high turnout will ultimately benefit the incumbent government. The BJP leadership also remains confident that they will emerge as a decisive force this time.

CPM State Secretary M.V. Govindan told the media that the high turnout is not a sign of a UDF wave. He insisted the trend favours the LDF and predicted that the people will return them to power with a large majority. Conversely, KPCC President Sunny Joseph stated that the high turnout represents a wave for the UDF. Panakkad Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal expressed certainty that the UDF would come to power, while IUML leader P.K. Kunhalikutty remarked that the BJP would fail to gain any significant traction. Meanwhile, BJP State President Rajeev Chandrasekhar predicted that the current political climate points toward the possibility of a hung assembly.