KOCHI: In the bypolls held in 17 local wards of the state, the UDF has gained a slight advantage. As per the information coming, the UDF is leading in nine wards and the LDF in seven wards. In the bypolls held in Ernakulam in four wards, the UDF won all the four. The UDF captured two seats from the LDF. Meantime, the bypoll results will not change the administration in the panchayats of the district.

The UDF captured seats from the LDF in Pallipuram and Ezhikkara panchayats. The UDF has also retained the Mookkannoor and Vadakkekara ward seats. The election was held in the third ward of Ernakulam's Ezhikkara panchayat. UDF’s candidate T P Soman won with a majority of 60 votes. The UDF also won the 11th ward of Vadakkekara panchayat. Nikitha Jobi won the elections held after the seat fell vacant following the demise of her father Joby, who was the ward member. The UDF got a majority of 128 votes here. The UDF has also captured the LDF seat in ward 10 of Pallipuram panchayat. UDF candidate Sini Mathachan won in Angamaly Mookkannoor.

The elections were held in two wards in Kollam. CPM's candidate S Anupama won in Kollam Thenmala fifth ward with a majority of 34 votes. The CPM has captured the ward which was in the hands of the UDF for 25 years. Meantime, the BJP wrested Adichanalloor Punchirichira ward from the CPM. In the by-elections held in the local bodies in Malappuram, the UDF won all the four wards.