Kozhikode, December 13, 2025 – The air in Kozhikode crackles with anticipation as vote counting for the 2025 Kerala local body elections gets underway at 8 a.m. across 20 designated centers in the district. For the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF), this is a make-or-break moment to defend its long-standing dominance in the Kozhikode Municipal Corporation – a bastion often dubbed the "fortress" of the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led alliance.
In the shadow of the iconic Mananchira Square and the bustling streets of this coastal city, political workers from the LDF, United Democratic Front (UDF), and National Democratic Alliance (NDA) have converged on counting halls, their eyes glued to electronic voting machines (EVMs) and postal ballot boxes. Postal votes were tallied first, setting the stage for the main EVM rounds, with real-time trends expected to flood in via the State Election Commission's TREND portal shortly after commencement.
Kozhikode, with its 75 wards in the municipal corporation, has been a stronghold for the LDF since the 2020 polls, where the front clinched a resounding 49 seats – including 45 for the CPM alone – against the UDF's 14 (nine Congress, five IUML), the NDA's seven (BJP), and five for independents and others. That victory solidified the LDF's grip on urban governance here, enabling initiatives like enhanced waste management and urban renewal projects under Mayor Beena Philip, a CPM veteran.
But 2025 brings fresh challenges. Analysts predict a fiercely contested battle, fueled by anti-incumbency whispers over issues like flooding, infrastructure delays, and the lingering economic pressures from post-pandemic recovery. The UDF, buoyed by its performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections where it outperformed the LDF in several southern seats, is eyeing a breakthrough in traditional LDF wards, particularly in Muslim-majority areas where IUML holds sway. Meanwhile, the NDA, leveraging its growing urban footprint, aims to double its tally by capitalizing on youth discontent and Hindu consolidation.
Voter turnout in Kozhikode during the second phase of polling on December 11 stood at an impressive 77.26%, slightly above the state average of 73.69% – the highest in Wayanad at 78.29% and lowest in Pathanamthitta at 66.78%. This enthusiasm underscores the stakes: these elections, covering 12,931 wards across 941 grama panchayats, 87 municipalities, and six corporations (including Kozhikode, Kochi, Thrissur, Kollam, Kannur, and Thiruvananthapuram), serve as a litmus test ahead of the 2026 assembly polls.
Statewide, the LDF enters the fray as the incumbent powerhouse, having swept five of six corporations, 44 of 87 municipalities, over 500 grama panchayats, and 11 of 14 district panchayats in 2020, with a vote share of 40.2%. The UDF, with 37.9%, held one corporation (Kannur) and 23 municipalities, while the NDA made inroads with 12.1% vote share but fewer wins. This time, the NDA's aggressive campaigning, including high-profile rallies by BJP leaders, could erode LDF margins in northern districts like Kozhikode and Kannur.
In Kozhikode specifically, the LDF's campaign emphasized continuity – highlighting achievements in healthcare expansion and green initiatives – while fending off UDF accusations of "red neglect" in basic amenities. "We have the people's trust, built over decades of service," a senior CPM leader told reporters outside a counting center, echoing the front's confidence. UDF counterparts, however, predict a "wave of change," pointing to internal LDF frictions and youth mobilization.
As rounds progress, early postal ballot trends could offer the first clues. By mid-morning, full ward-wise results are anticipated on the SEC portal (sec.kerala.gov.in) and TREND app, with corporations like Kozhikode expected to wrap up by afternoon. For the LDF, retaining a majority here isn't just about local power – it's about signaling resilience to allies and adversaries alike in Kerala's hyper-competitive political arena.
Stay tuned for live updates as the numbers roll in. Will the red flag fly high over Kozhikode once more, or will a shift in power rewrite the narrative? The EVMs hold the answer.
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