Local Body Polls - Cast Your Vote

Local body polls in Kerala are about to commence on 23rd and 25th of October. Elections would be held to civic bodies in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasargod on October 23 and in Idukki, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram would be held on October 25. Counting and result announcement would take place on 27th of October. New councils would take charge on November 1st, Kerala formation day. As per the latest figures, there are 978 grama panchayats, 152 block panchayats, 14 district panchayats, 60 municipalities and five corporations in the state.


This is the first poll which has reservation in 50% seats for women candidates. As a result of this reservation 605 local bodies of the total 1208 will be headed by women. The political parties were finding it difficult to find out right woman candidates since majority of the women were not openly into politics even though they favour some parties or fronts. Moreover we can also see women from households of Muslim families in Malappuram who are not seen normally involving in social or political activities, contesting in elections.

Last date to withdraw the nominations are already over and the final picture of the list of candidates is clear now. The major fronts contesting each other are the ruling LDF headed by CPI(M) and UDF lead by Congress in the opposition. Their future for the next five years are in the hands of 2.25 crore voters in Kerala.   Not only their future, even our future is in our hands. We have the power to elect the one whom we want as our representative. And with great power comes great responsibilities. And its our responsibility and duty to utilise this power and use it wisely.

Most of the time we see the percentage of people who cast their vote are from 40 - 70 %. Rest of the people sit back at home and keep on criticising the government. In my opinion they have no right to criticise without using their power to vote. They could have selected better people to power and without doing that what is the meaning in criticising? We live in world's largest democracy. And I am proud of that. Are you?

Cast Your Vote