2020 Kerala local elections
{{Short description|Indian municipal elections}}
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 2020 Kerala Local Elections
| country = India
| type = parliamentary
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 2015 Kerala local elections
| previous_year = 2015
| next_election = 2025 Kerala local elections
| next_year = 2025
| election_date = 8, 10 and 14 December 2020
| seats_for_election = 1199 of 1200 local bodies in Kerala {{Efn|Mattanur municipality elections are held in a different cycle, hence elections to this municipality are not held in 2020.{{Cite web|date=2020-11-19|title=Explained: How has Kerala planned its three-tier local body elections?|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-how-kerala-has-planned-its-three-tier-local-body-elections-6990612/|access-date=2020-11-19|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}|name=|group=}}
| 1blank = Grama Panchayat
| 2blank = Block Panchayat
| 3blank = District Panchayat
| 4blank = Municipality
| 5blank = Corporation
| turnout = 76.2% ({{decrease}}1.5%)
| alliance1 = {{legend2|{{party color|Left Democratic Front (Kerala)}}|LDF|border=solid 1px #AAAAAA}}
| 1data1 = 514
| 2data1 = 108
| 3data1 = 11
| 4data1 = 43
| 5data1 = 5
| popular_vote1 =
| percentage1 = 40.2%{{Cite web|url=http://sec.kerala.gov.in/index.php/Content/index/election-2020|title = State Election Commission}}
| swing1 = ({{increase}}2.8%)
| alliance2 = {{legend2|{{party color|United Democratic Front (Kerala)}}|UDF|border=solid 1px #AAAAAA}}
| 1data2 = 321
| 2data2 = 38
| 3data2 = 3
| 4data2 = 41
| 5data2 = 1
| popular_vote2 =
| percentage2 = 37.9%
| swing2 = ({{increase}}0.7%)
| alliance3 = {{legend2|{{party color|National Democratic Alliance (India)}}|NDA|border=solid 1px #AAAAAA}}
| 1data3 = 19
| 2data3 = 0
| 3data3 = 0
| 4data3 = 2
| 5data3 = 0
| seat_change3 =
| popular_vote3 =
| percentage3 = 15.0%
| swing3 = ({{increase}}1.7%)
| map_caption =
| map =
| image1 =
}}
Elections to local bodies (Panchayats, Municipalities and Corporations) in Kerala were held in December 2020.{{Cite news|date=2015-10-04|title=Local body polls in Kerala to be held on November 2 and 5|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/local-body-polls-in-kerala-to-be-held-on-november-2-and-5/article7721259.ece|access-date=2020-09-26|issn=0971-751X}} Polling took place over 3 days; on 8, 10 and 14 December, with the votes counted and results announced on 16 December.{{Cite web|title=Kerala local body polls in three phases in December|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2020/nov/06/kerala-local-body-polls-in-three-phases-in-december-2220220.html|access-date=2020-11-06|website=The New Indian Express}}
Left Democratic Front (LDF), who also formed the state government, won majorities in more than half of all grama panchayats, two-thirds of district panchayats and in all municipal corporations barring Kannur. United Democratic Front (UDF), led by Indian National Congress (INC), despite improving its vote share by 0.7% won just three out of fourteen district panchayats and one corporation, in comparison to seven and two respectively in the previous election in 2015. National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), increased their tally of wards won and secured a majority in two municipalities and nineteen panchayats.
Background
Kerala Panchayat Raj Act, 1994 made provisions for the creation of local bodies at the village, block and district levels. The Kerala Municipalities Act, 1994 made provisions for the creation of municipalities and corporations.{{Cite web|title=Business – Kerala Legislature|url=http://www.niyamasabha.org/codes/bus_1_5.htm|access-date=2020-09-27|website=www.niyamasabha.org}}
In total, the state has 1200 local self-governing bodies – 941 grama panchayats, 14 district panchayats, 152 block panchayats, 87 municipalities and 6 corporations.{{Cite web|title=Local Self-Governance – Government of Kerala, India|url=https://kerala.gov.in/local-self-governance#:~:text=Local%20Self-Governance%20Page&text=At%20present,%20there%20are%201200,Municipalities%20and%206%20Municipal%20Corporations.|access-date=2020-09-27|website=kerala.gov.in|archive-date=2020-09-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925172016/https://kerala.gov.in/local-self-governance#:~:text=Local%20Self-Governance%20Page&text=At%20present,%20there%20are%201200,Municipalities%20and%206%20Municipal%20Corporations.|url-status=dead}}
= COVID-19 pandemic =
An all-party meeting filed a plea in Kerala High Court to defer the polls, which was set for November 2020, considering the increasing COVID cases.{{Cite web|date=September 11, 2020|first1=P. S. |last1=Gopikrishnan Unnithan|title=Kerala all-party meeting agrees to cancel assembly bypolls, postpone local body elections|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/kerala-all-party-meeting-agrees-to-cancel-assembly-bypolls-local-body-polls-1720848-2020-09-11|access-date=2020-10-19|website=India Today|language=en}}
An ordinance by the Governor of the state, which temporarily amended Kerala Panchayat Raj Act, 1994, allowed COVID-19 quarantined patients to vote via postal ballots and increases the voting time by two hours.{{Cite news|last=Radhakrishnan|first=S. Anil|date=2020-10-02|title=Coronavirus {{!}} Kerala promulgates Ordinance to allow COVID-19 patients vote through postal ballots|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kerala-promulgates-ordinance-to-allow-covid-19-patients-vote-through-postal-ballots/article32752280.ece|access-date=2020-10-19|issn=0971-751X}}{{Cite web|title=Postal Ballot For Covid Patients In Local Polls: Kerala Election Panel|url=https://www.ndtv.com/kerala-news/postal-ballot-for-covid-patients-in-local-polls-kerala-election-panel-2332324|access-date=2020-12-01|website=NDTV.com}}
Parties and coalitions
The LDF is the coalition of left wing and far-left parties, led by the CPIM. The UDF is a coalition consisting chiefly of centrist and centre-left parties led by the INC. The NDA is led by the BJP.{{Cite web|date=2020-11-19|title=Explained: How has Kerala planned its three-tier local body elections?|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-how-kerala-has-planned-its-three-tier-local-body-elections-6990612/|access-date=2020-11-19|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}
Chellanam 20/20, a newly formed civic forum, contested in all 21 wards in Chellanam panchayat.{{Cite web|date=August 1, 2020|title=Kerala: Now, a '20-20 to save Chellanam'|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/kerala-now-a-20-20-to-save-chellanam/articleshow/77295882.cms|access-date=2020-10-19|website=The Times of India|language=en}}{{Cite news|last=Martin|first=K.|date=2020-11-06|title=In Chellanam, fresh voices speak up|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/in-chellanam-fresh-voices-speak-up/article33034252.ece|access-date=2020-11-11|issn=0971-751X}} Twenty20 Kizhakkambalam, officially a nonprofit charitable organization formed by Anna Kitex Group, fielded candidates in five panchayats, including in Kizhakkambalam where they had won in 2015.{{Cite web|date=2020-11-10|title=Kerala firm that won panchayat in 2015 to contest four more|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kerala-firm-that-won-panchayat-in-2015-to-contest-four-more-7036835/|access-date=2020-11-11|website=The Indian Express|language=en}} V4 Kochi, an apolitical organisation had 74 candidates contesting in all wards of Kochi Corporation.{{Cite web|title=74 candidates in fray, V4Kochi may make election tough to call|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/2020/nov/11/74-candidates-in-frayv4kochi-may-make-election-tough-to-call-2222087.html|access-date=2020-11-11|website=The New Indian Express}} KJS, led by Poonjar MLA P. C. George, contested independently in four district panchayats, four block panchayats and two grama panchayats in Kottayam district.{{Cite web|title=Local body polls: Elections a test for PC George's Janapaksham|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2020/nov/25/local-body-polls-electionsa-test-for-pc-georges-janapaksham-2227657.html|access-date=2020-11-25|website=The New Indian Express}} Thiruvananthapuram Vikasana Munnettam an apolitical organisation contested in 14 wards of Thiruvananthapuram Corporation.{{Cite web|date=November 22, 2020|title=14 candidates on fray for TVM in local body polls|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/14-candidates-on-fray-for-tvm-in-local-body-polls/articleshow/79344856.cms|access-date=2022-01-22|website=The Times of India|language=en}}
Previous composition
{{Pie chart|caption=Vote Share by alliance in 2015{{Cite book|title=Election report, 2015|publisher=State Election Commission, Kerala|year=2016|location=Thiruvananthapuram|pages=24, 55, 56|url=http://sec.kerala.gov.in/images/electionreport2015.pdf}}|other=yes|label1=LDF|color1={{party color|Left Democratic Front (Kerala)}}|label2=UDF|color2={{party color|United Democratic Front (Kerala)}}|label3=NDA|color3={{party color|National Democratic Alliance (India)}}|value1=37.4|value2=37.2|value3=13.3}}
= Local body wise =
| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
|+ 2015 Kerala local body elections ! rowspan="3" |Local self-government body ! colspan="4" |Local Bodies in lead ! rowspan="3" |Total |
| style="background:{{party color|Left Democratic Front (Kerala)}}|
| style="background:{{party color|United Democratic Front (Kerala)}}| | style="background:{{party color|National Democratic Alliance}}| | style= "background:black| |
| LDF
!UDF !NDA !Others/Hung |
|---|
| Gram Panchayats
|549 |365 |14 |13 !941 |
| Block Panchayats
|90 |61 |0 |1 !152 |
| District Panchayats
|7 |7 |0 |0 !14 |
| Municipalities
|44 |41 |1 |0 !86 |
| Corporations
|4 |2 |0 |0 !6 |
= Ward-wise =
| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
|+ ! rowspan="3" |Local self-government body ! colspan="4" |Wards won ! rowspan="3" |Total |
| style="background:{{party color|Left Democratic Front (Kerala)}}" |
| style="background:{{party color|United Democratic Front (Kerala)}}" | | style="background:{{party color|National Democratic Alliance}}" | | style="background:black" | |
| LDF
!UDF !NDA !Others |
|---|
| grama Panchayats
|7,623 |6,324 |933 |1,078 !15,962 |
| Block Panchayats
|1,088 |917 |21 |53 !2,076 |
| District Panchayats
|170 |145 |3 |4 !331 |
| Municipalities
|1,263 |1,318 |236 |259 !3,122 |
| Corporations
|196 |143 |52 |24 !414 |
| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
|+ Municipal Corporations ! rowspan="3" |Corporation ! colspan="4" |Wards won ! rowspan="3" |Total ! rowspan="3" |Alliance in majority |
| style="background:{{party color|Left Democratic Front (Kerala)}}" |
| style="background:{{party color|United Democratic Front (Kerala)}}" | | style="background:{{party color|National Democratic Alliance}}" | | style="background:black" | |
| LDF
!UDF !NDA !Others |
|---|
| Thiruvananthapuram
|42 |21 |35 |3 !100 |Hung (LDF mayorship) |
| Kozhikode
|50 |18 |7 |0 !75 |LDF |
| Kochi
|23 |38 |2 |11 !74 |UDF |
| Kollam
|36 |16 |2 |1 !55 |LDF |
| Thrissur
|23 |21 |6 |5 !55 |Hung (LDF mayorship) |
| Kannur
|26 |27 |0 |2 !55 |Hung (UDF mayorship) |
Campaign
The president of the Kerala unit of BJP K. Surendran claimed that the incumbent LDF government would face a setback in the election due to the 2020 Kerala gold smuggling case, in relation to which the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's then principal secretary was arrested by Enforcement Directorate.{{Cite web|date=2020-11-21|title=Kerala Local Body Elections: Political Fronts Get Ready for Fight|url=https://www.newsclick.in/kerala-local-body-elections-political-fronts-read-fight|access-date=2020-12-14|website=NewsClick|language=en}} The opposition UDF faced several infightings, one among which an alliance partner, Kerala Congress (M), underwent a split with the faction led by Jose K. Mani joining LDF.{{Cite news|last=Hiran|first=U.|date=2020-11-07|title=Stakes high for Jose K. Mani|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/stakes-high-for-jose-k-mani/article33049648.ece|access-date=2020-11-23|issn=0971-751X}} BJP faced factionalism between some of its top leaders and the state president.{{Cite news|last=Govind|first=Biju|date=2020-11-19|title=Local body polls a litmus test for BJP|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/local-body-polls-a-litmus-test-for-bjp/article33133748.ece|access-date=2020-11-23|issn=0971-751X}}{{Cite web|date=November 21, 2020|title=Sobha Surendran skips BJP pre-poll meeting in Kochi|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/sobha-surendran-skips-bjp-pre-poll-meeting-in-kochi/articleshow/79333080.cms|access-date=2020-11-23|website=The Times of India|language=en}}
Voters and polls
Voters list for the election was published on 17 June.{{Cite web|date=June 17, 2020|first=Aswin J.|last=Kumar|title=Kerala: Voters' list for local body polls published |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/kerala-voters-list-for-local-body-polls-published/articleshow/76428205.cms|access-date=2020-10-19|website=The Times of India|language=en}} The final list was published on 1 October with a supplemental list published on 10 November.{{Cite web|date=November 6, 2020|first1=P. S. Gopikrishnan|last1=Unnithan|title=Kerala: Local body elections to be held in 3 phases, counting of votes on December 16|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/kerala-local-body-elections-to-be-held-in-3-phases-counting-of-votes-on-december-16-1738660-2020-11-06|access-date=2020-11-06|website=India Today|language=en}}
| class="wikitable"
!Group of voters !Voters population |
| Male
|1,31,72,629 |
| Female
|1,44,83,668 |
| Transgenders
|282 |
| Total Voters
|2,76,56,579 |
As the term of the current members of local bodies end on November 11, three-member administrative committees would be formed and take over administration in each local body, in accordance with Kerala Panchayat Raj Act, 1994, and the Kerala Municipality Act, 1994.{{Cite news|date=2020-11-04|title=Administrative panels to take over local bodies|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/administrative-panels-to-take-over-local-bodies/article33023488.ece|access-date=2020-11-06|issn=0971-751X}}
Kerala High Court dismissed petitions which alleged that reservation of local body constituencies continued for a third successive term citing that the court would not interfere in elections.{{Cite web|date=November 11, 2020|first=Mahir|last=Haneef|title=Continuous reservation of constituencies: Kerala HC declines to interfere; criticizes election commission|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/continuous-reservation-of-constituencies-kerala-hc-declines-to-interfere-criticizes-election-commission/articleshow/79173603.cms|access-date=2020-11-16|website=The Times of India|language=en}}
1.68 lakh candidates filed nominations to various local bodies,{{Cite news|date=2020-11-19|title=Over 1.68 lakh file nominations for local body elections|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/over-168-lakh-file-nominations-for-local-body-elections/article33136064.ece|access-date=2020-11-21|issn=0971-751X}} which was dwindled down to 74,899 candidates after the rest were either rejected or withdrawn.{{Cite web|last=Rao|first=Madhu|date=2020-11-27|title=74,899 candidates in fray in Kerala local body polls|url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/elections/news-kerala-local-body-polls-74899-candidates-in-fray-667839|access-date=2020-12-03|website=www.indiatvnews.com|language=en}} In total there are 34,744 polling booths; 29,321 in panchayats, 3,422 in municipalities and 2,001 in corporations.{{Cite web|title=Kerala Local Body Elections 2020|url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/news/indepth/kerala-local-body-elections-2020.html|access-date=2020-11-21|website=ManoramaOnline|language=ml}}
| class="wikitable"
|+Schedule !Event !Date |
| Publishing of final voters' list
|1 October 2020 |
| Announcement of election schedule
Enactment of Model Code of Conduct |6 November 2020 |
| Last date to file nomination
|19 November 2020 |
| Scrutiny of nomination
|20 November 2020 |
| Last date to withdraw nomination
|23 November 2020 |
| rowspan="3" |Polling
|Phase I: 8 December 2020 |
| Phase II: 10 December 2020 |
| Phase II: 14 December 2020 |
| Announcement of results
|16 December 2020 |
Phase I: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha and Idukki districts
Phase II: Ernakulam, Kottayam, Thrissur, Palakkad and Wayanad districts
Phase III: Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod districts
Result
{{Pie chart|caption=Vote Share by alliance|other=yes|value1=40.2|label1=LDF|color1={{party color|Left Democratic Front (Kerala)}}|value2=37.9|label2=UDF|color2={{party color|United Democratic Front (Kerala)}}|value3=15.0|label3=NDA|color3={{party color|National Democratic Alliance (India)}}}}
= Popular votes =
All of the three major pre-poll alliances in the state increased their vote share compared to that in the previous election.
{{election table|title=Summary of results of the 2020 Kerala local body elections{{Cite web|url=http://sec.kerala.gov.in/images/Votes-Obtained-by-Parties-DP.pdf|title=Kerala: Voteshare in District Panchayat (Rural) Election - 2020|access-date=2020-12-26|website=sec.kerala.gov.in|publisher=State Election Commission, Kerala}}{{Cite web|url=http://sec.kerala.gov.in/images/Stateview_votes_by_parties_M.pdf|title=Kerala: Voteshare in Municipalities (Urban) Election - 2020|access-date=2020-12-26|website=sec.kerala.gov.in|publisher=State Election Commission, Kerala}}{{Cite web|url=http://sec.kerala.gov.in/images/Stateview_votes_by_parties_C.pdf|title=Kerala: Voteshare in Municipal Corporations (Urban) Election - 2020|access-date=2020-12-26|website=sec.kerala.gov.in|publisher=State Election Commission, Kerala}} |sortable=yes}}
! class="unsortable" |
! colspan="2"|Alliance
! Political party !! Votes !! Vote % !! ±pp
|-
|colspan=7 bgcolor="{{party color|Left Democratic Front (Kerala)}}"|
|-
|rowspan=12 bgcolor="{{party color|Left Democratic Front (Kerala)}}"|
!rowspan=12|LDF
|{{party color cell|Left Democratic Front (Kerala)}}
!8,450,430
!40.18%
!{{increase}}2.82%
|-
|{{party color cell|Communist Party of India (Marxist)}}
| Communist Party of India (Marxist)
|5,628,188
|26.71%
|{{nowrap|{{n/a}}}}
|-
|{{party color cell|Communist Party of India}}
|1,459,396
|6.93%
|{{n/a}}
|-
|{{party color cell|Kerala Congress (M)}}
|534,759
|2.54%
|{{n/a}}
|-
|{{party color cell|Loktantrik Janata Dal}}
|293,814
|1.40%
|{{increase}}1.40%
|-
|{{party color cell|Janata Dal (Secular)}}
|175,613
|0.83%
|{{n/a}}
|-
|{{party color cell|Indian National League}}
|139,016
|0.66%
|{{n/a}}
|-
|{{party color cell|Nationalist Congress Party}}
|132,933
|0.63%
|{{n/a}}
|-
|{{party color cell|Congress (Secular)}}
|45,215
|0.21%
|{{n/a}}
|-
|{{party color cell|Kerala Congress (B)}}
|39,140
|0.19%
|{{n/a}}
|-
|{{party color cell|Janadhipathya Kerala Congress}}
| Janadhipathya Kerala Congress
|1,612
|0.01%
|{{increase}}0.01%
|-
|{{party color cell|Kerala Congress (Skaria Thomas)}}
| Kerala Congress (Skaria Thomas)
|744
|0.00%
|{{n/a}}
|-
|colspan=7 bgcolor="{{party color|United Democratic Front (Kerala)}}"|
|-
|rowspan=9 bgcolor="{{party color|United Democratic Front (Kerala)}}"|
!rowspan=9|UDF
|{{party color cell|United Democratic Front (Kerala)}}
!7,988,255
!37.92%
!{{increase}}0.69%
|-
|{{party color cell|Indian National Congress}}
|5,327,605
|25.29%
|{{n/a}}
|-
|{{party color cell|Indian Union Muslim League}}
|1,909,729
|9.06%
|{{n/a}}
|-
|{{party color cell|Kerala Congress (Joseph)}}
|419,049
|1.99%
|{{increase}}1.99%
|-
|{{party color cell|Revolutionary Socialist Party (India)}}
| Revolutionary Socialist Party
|171,483
|0.82%
|{{n/a}}
|-
|{{party color cell|Communist Marxist Party (John)}}
| Communist Marxist Party (John)
|80,304
|0.38%
|{{n/a}}
|-
|{{party color cell|Kerala Congress (Jacob)}}
|48,448
|0.23%
|{{n/a}}
|-
|{{party color cell|All India Forward Bloc}}
|19,174
|0.09%
|{{n/a}}
|-
|{{party color cell|Janata Dal}}
| Bharatiya National Janata Dal
|12,463
|0.06%
|{{n/a}}
|-
|colspan=7 bgcolor="{{party color|National Democratic Alliance}}"|
|-
|rowspan=6 bgcolor="{{party color|National Democratic Alliance}}"|
!rowspan=6|NDA
|{{party color cell|National Democratic Alliance}}
! National Democratic Alliance
!3,164,454
!15.02%
!{{increase}}1.74%
|-
|{{party color cell|Bharatiya Janata Party}}
|3,118,249
|14.80%
|{{n/a}}
|-
|{{party color cell|Bharath Dharma Jana Sena}}
|26,336
|0.13%
|{{increase}}0.13%
|-
|{{party color cell|Kerala Kamaraj Congress}}
| Kerala Kamaraj Congress
|14,358
|0.07%
|{{n/a}}
|-
|{{party color cell|Kerala Congress (Thomas)}}
|4,975
|0.02%
|{{n/a}}
|-
|{{party color cell|Lok Janshakti Party}}
|536
|0.00%
|{{nochange}}
|-
|colspan=7 bgcolor="{{party color|Independent politician}}"|
|-
|rowspan=10 bgcolor="{{party color|Independent politician}}"|
!rowspan=10|Others
|{{party color cell|Social Democratic Party of India}}
| Social Democratic Party of India
|132,423
|0.63%
|{{n/a}}
|-
|{{party color cell|Twenty20 Kizhakkambalam}}
|41,845
|0.20%
|{{n/a}}
|-
|{{party color cell|Bahujan Samaj Party}}
|36,284
|0.17%
|{{n/a}}
|-
|{{party color cell|Welfare Party of India}}
|32,630
|0.15%
|{{n/a}}
|-
|{{party color cell|Kerala Janapaksham (Secular)}}
| Kerala Janapaksham (Secular)
|27,995
|0.13%
|{{n/a}}
|-
|{{party color cell|Peoples Democratic Party (India)}}
|26,223
|0.12%
|{{n/a}}
|-
|{{party color cell|Revolutionary Marxist Party of India}}
| Revolutionary Marxist Party of India
|24,899
|0.12%
|{{n/a}}
|-
|{{party color cell|Aam Aadmi Party}}
|10,539
|0.05%
|{{n/a}}
|-
|{{party color cell|Janathipathiya Samrakshana Samithy}}
| Janathipathiya Samrakshana Samithy
|2,140
|0.01%
|{{n/a}}
|-
|{{party color cell|Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist)}}
| Marxist-Leninist Party of India (Red Flag)
|2,055
|0.01%
|{{n/a}}
|-
|colspan=7 bgcolor="{{party color|Independent politician}}"|
|-
|rowspan=2 bgcolor="{{party color|Independent politician}}"|
!rowspan=2|IND
|-
|{{party color cell|Independent politician}}
|1,206,878
|5.73%
|{{n/a}}
|-
! colspan=7 |
|- class="unsortable" style="background-color:#E9E9E9" |
! colspan = 4|Total
! 21,068,782 !! 100.00%
! {{nochange}}
|}
= Local body wise =
{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Seat Share in Grama Panchayats (By alliance)
|label1 = LDF
|value1 = 54.62
|color1 = {{Party color|Left Democratic Front (Kerala)}}
|label2 = UDF
|value2 = 34.11
|color2 = {{Party color|United Democratic Front (Kerala)}}
|label3 = NDA
|value3 = 2.01
|color3 = {{Party color|National Democratic Alliance}}
|label4 = Others
|value4 = 9.24
|color4 = {{party color|Independent politician}}
}}
{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Seat Share in Block Panchayats (By alliance)
|label1 = LDF
|value1 = 71.05
|color1 = {{Party color|Left Democratic Front (Kerala)}}
|label2 = UDF
|value2 = 25.00
|color2 = {{Party color|United Democratic Front (Kerala)}}
|label4 = Others
|value4 = 3.95
|color4 = {{party color|Independent politician}}
}}
{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Seat Share in District Panchayats (By alliance)
|label1 = LDF
|value1 = 78.57
|color1 = {{Party color|Left Democratic Front (Kerala)}}
|label2 = UDF
|value2 = 21.43
|color2 = {{Party color|United Democratic Front (Kerala)}}
}}
{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Seat Share in Municipalities (By alliance)
|label1 = LDF
|value1 = 50.00
|color1 = {{Party color|Left Democratic Front (Kerala)}}
|label2 = UDF
|value2 = 47.67
|color2 = {{Party color|United Democratic Front (Kerala)}}
|label3 = NDA
|value3 = 2.33
|color3 = {{Party color|National Democratic Alliance}}
}}
{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Seat Share in Corporations (By alliance)
|label1 = LDF
|value1 = 83.33
|color1 = {{Party color|Left Democratic Front (Kerala)}}
|label2 = UDF
|value2 = 16.67
|color2 = {{Party color|United Democratic Front (Kerala)}}
}}
| class="wikitable"
|+ 2020 Kerala local body elections ! rowspan="3" |Local self-government body ! colspan="5" |Local Bodies in lead ! rowspan="3" |Total |
| style="background:{{party color|Left Democratic Front (Kerala)}}" |
| style="background:{{party color|United Democratic Front (Kerala)}}" | | style="background:{{party color|National Democratic Alliance}}" | | style="background:black" | | |
| LDF
!UDF !NDA !Others !Tie |
|---|
| Grama Panchayats
|514 ({{decrease}}35) |321 ({{decrease}}44) |19 ({{increase}}5) |23 ({{increase}}15) |64 ({{increase}}51) !941 |
| Block Panchayats
|108 ({{increase}}20) |38 ({{decrease}}24) |0 ({{steady}}) |0 ({{decrease}}1) |6 ({{increase}}5) !152 |
| District Panchayats
|3 ({{decrease}}4) |0 ({{steady}}) |0 ({{steady}}) |0 ({{steady}}){{Efn|The ties were later resolved, LDF now control 11 and UDF controls 3 district panchayats. Refer Aftermath section|name=|group=}} !14 |
| Municipalities{{Cite web|date=2020-12-17|title=mistake trend software; UDF does not have the upper hand in the number of municipalities ട്രെന്ഡ് സോഫ്റ്റ് വെയറിലെ പിഴവ്; മുനിസിപ്പാലിറ്റികളുടെ എണ്ണത്തിലും യുഡിഎഫിന് മേല്ക്കൈ ഇല്ല|url=https://www.twentyfournews.com/2020/12/17/udf-does-not-have-the-upper-hand-in-the-number-of-municipalities.html|access-date=2020-12-18|website=www.twentyfournews.com|language=en-US}}
|41 ({{increase}}1) |2 ({{increase}}1) |0 ({{steady}}) |0 ({{steady}}){{Efn|The ties were later resolved and LDF now control 43 municipalities and UDF controls 41. Refer Aftermath section|name=|group=}} !86 |
| Corporations
|5 ({{increase}}1) |1 ({{decrease}}1 ) |0 ({{steady}}) |0 ({{steady}}) |0 ({{steady}}) !6 |
= Ward-wise =
| class="wikitable"
|+ ! rowspan="3" |Local self-government body ! colspan="4" |Wards in lead ! rowspan="3" |Total |
| style="background:{{party color|Left Democratic Front (Kerala)}}" |
| style="background:{{party color|United Democratic Front (Kerala)}}" | | style="background:{{party color|National Democratic Alliance}}" | | style="background:black" | |
| LDF
!UDF !NDA !Others |
|---|
| Grama Panchayats
|7,262 ({{decrease}}361) |5,893 ({{decrease}}431) |1,182 ({{increase}}249) |1,620 ({{increase}}542) !15,962 |
| Block Panchayats
|1,266 ({{increase}}178) |727 ({{decrease}}190) |37 ({{increase}}16) |49 ({{decrease}}4) !2,080 |
| District Panchayats
|212 ({{increase}}42) |110 ({{decrease}}35) |2 ({{decrease}}1) |6 ({{increase}}2) !331 |
| Municipalities
|1,167 ({{decrease}}96) |1,172 ({{decrease}}146) |320 ({{increase}}84) |416 ({{increase}}157) !3,078 |
| Corporations
|207 ({{increase}}11) |120 ({{decrease}}23) |60 ({{increase}}8) |27 ({{increase}}3) !414 |
| class="wikitable"
|+Municipal Corporations ! rowspan="3" |Corporation ! colspan="4" |Wards won ! rowspan="3" |Total ! rowspan="3" |Previous alliance in majority ! rowspan="3" |Alliance in majority |
| style="background:{{party color|Left Democratic Front (Kerala)}}|
| style="background:{{party color|United Democratic Front (Kerala)}}| | style="background:{{party color|National Democratic Alliance}}| | style="background:black| |
| LDF
!UDF !NDA !Others |
|---|
| Thiruvananthapuram
|51 ({{increase}}9) |10 ({{decrease}}11) |35 ({{steady}}) |5 ({{increase}}4) !100 |LDF |LDF |
| Kozhikode
|51 ({{increase}}1) |17 ({{decrease}}1) |7 ({{steady}}) |0 ({{Steady}}) !75 |LDF |LDF |
| Kochi
|34 ({{increase}}11) |31 ({{decrease}}7) |5 ({{increase}}3) |4 ({{decrease}}7) !74 |Hung (UDF lead)|UDF |LDF |
| Kollam
|39 ({{increase}}3) |9 ({{decrease}}7) |6 ({{increase}}4) |1 ({{steady}}) !55 |LDF|LDF |LDF |
| Thrissur{{Cite web|title=UDF rebel likely to become mayor as LDF wins Thrissur corporation|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/udf-rebel-likely-to-become-mayor-as-ldf-wins-thrissur-corporation-1.5288108|access-date=2020-12-19|website=Mathrubhumi|language=en}}
|24 ({{increase}}1) |6 ({{steady}}) |1 ({{decrease}}4) !55 |Hung (LDF lead)|LDF |Hung{{Efn|LDF later won mayorship over the corporation with support from independent members|name=|group=}} |
| Kannur
|19 ({{decrease}}7) |34 ({{increase}}7) |1 ({{increase}}1) |1 ({{decrease}}1) !55 |Hung (UDF mayorship) |UDF |
Aftermath
= Result analysis =
All of the three major pre-poll alliances, LDF, UDF, and NDA, improved their vote share compared to that in the previous election. The result showed popular support in favour of LDF led government, led by Pinarayi Vijayan. Jose K. Mani faction of Kerala Congress (M), which left UDF to join LDF, performed well in traditional UDF strongholds in Kottayam, Pathanamthitta and Idukki districts.{{Cite web|date=2020-12-16|title=Explained: Why Kerala local body election results are a victory for Pinarayi Vijayan|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/kerala-local-body-election-results-explained-pinarayi-vijayan-ldf-7107149/|access-date=2020-12-16|website=The Indian Express|language=en}} UDF improved its position in the districts of Ernakulam and Malappuram.
= Reactions =
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan hailed his alliance's victory as that of secularism and inclusive development, while remarking that the results were a befitting reply to UDF and BJP. Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala said that UDF voter base was intact highlighting that they had won more municipalities and mentioned that he would introspect into their poor performance in Thiruvananthapuram corporation. BJP national president J. P. Nadda and state president K. Surendran thanked the voters for providing an improved mandate to their party in the election{{Cite web|date=2020-12-17|title=Kerala Local Body Election Results 2020 HIGHLIGHTS: JP Nadda thanks people for improved mandate for BJP in Kerala|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/kerala-local-body-election-results-2020-live-updates-cpm-led-ldf-congress-led-udf-bjp-led-nda/2150860/|access-date=2020-12-18|website=The Financial Express|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=Kerala civic body polls bring cheers and tears for BJP|url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2020/12/17/kerala-civic-body-polls-bring-cheers-and-tears-for-bjp.html|access-date=2020-12-18|website=The Week|language=en}}
= TREND software error =
The final results of a few panchayats and municipalities were changed due to an error in the TREND software, which was used for displaying election results, as per the State Election Commission. This meant that the lead UDF had over LDF in municipalities was cut from 10 municipalities to 4. The Election Commission published the results in its official website after rectifying the error.
= Post-election incidents =
LDF won control in 43 municipalities, UDF in 41 and BJP in 2 municipalities. In Kalamassery municipality, UDF won control of the municipality by drawing lots, as both they and LDF had equal backing in the administrative council.{{Cite news|date=2020-12-20|title=Draw of lots to break the tie|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/draw-of-lots-to-break-the-tie/article33379576.ece|access-date=2020-12-29|issn=0971-751X}} LDF also controls 11 district panchayats, while UDF got the remaining 3. The latter assumed control of Wayanad district panchayat after drawing lots.
21 year old Arya Rajendran became the mayor of Thiruvananthapuram corporation, thereby becoming the youngest ever mayor of a municipal corporation in India.{{Cite web|date=December 28, 2020|first=Aswin J.|last=Kumar|title=Arya Rajendran takes oath as mayor of Thiruvananthapuram civic body|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/arya-rajendran-takes-oath-as-mayor-of-thiruvananthapuram-civic-body/articleshow/79989694.cms|access-date=2020-12-29|website=The Times of India|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=21-Year-Old College Student Elected Mayor Of Kerala Capital|url=https://www.ndtv.com/kerala-news/arya-rajendran-21-set-to-be-next-mayor-of-kerala-capital-thiruvananthapuram-2344197|access-date=2020-12-29|website=NDTV.com}}
Reshma Mariam Roy, who was the youngest candidate in the elections, became the youngest ever president of a panchayat in Kerala at 21 years old after being elected as the president of Aruvappulam Grama panchayat in Pathanamthitta. She had filed her nomination on November 18, days before she turned 21.{{Cite web|title=21-Year-Old College Student Reshma Mariam Roy youngest in fray for LSG polls |url= https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/kerala-reshma-mariam-roy-youngest-in-fray-for-lsg-polls/articleshow/79231210.cms|website= timesofindia.indiatimes.com }}{{Cite web|title=21-Year-Old College Student Reshma Mariam Roy to be Kerala's youngest panchayat president|url=https://www.onmanorama.com/kerala/top-news/2020/12/27/reshma-mariam-roy-youngest-panchayat-president-kerala.html|website=www.onmanorama.com}}{{Cite news|title= CPI(M) chooses 21-year-old to lead Aruvappulam grama panchayat|url= https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/reshma-sets-a-youngest-chairperson-record/article33439968.ece|newspaper= The Hindu |date= 28 December 2020|last1= Hiran|first1= U.}}
See also
Footnotes
{{notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- http://www.trend.kerala.gov.in/views/index.php {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201216153428/http://trend.kerala.gov.in/views/index.php |date=2020-12-16 }}
{{Kerala elections}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:2020 elections in India