Four Ernakulam local wards to vote in September 28 by-elections
Voters in four local body wards in Ernakulam district will cast ballots on September 28, as part of by-elections taking place across 38 wards in Kerala. The contests follow vacancies caused by election to a higher office, resignations and overseas employment. Results are due on September 29.
Four local body wards in Kerala’s Ernakulam district will hold by-elections on September 28, with 10,003 voters expected to participate. The polls are part of elections scheduled in 38 local body wards across the State, with counting and results due on September 29. The wards are Ayyappankavu division of Kochi Corporation, Kolencherry East in Poothrukka grama panchayat, Puliyanam South in Parakkadavu panchayat and Madaplathuruth in Vadakkekara panchayat.
The Ayyappankavu contest was triggered by the election of Congress member Deepak Joy, formerly Kochi Corporation’s deputy mayor, as the MLA for Thripunithura. The United Democratic Front has nominated A.K. Ajithkumar, while the Left Democratic Front has fielded P.K.
Usman. K.V. Bijoy is contesting for the National Democratic Alliance.
In Kolencherry East, the vacancy followed the resignation of Twenty20 member Pooja Jomon, who was also the panchayat president. She resigned in protest against her party’s decision to join the NDA. Twenty20 is contesting separately rather than under the NDA banner, which alliance leaders describe as an effort to retain its core vote base.
The candidates are Saramma Paily Pillai for the UDF, Neethu Joyd for the LDF and Deenamma Jacob for Twenty20. The Parakkadavu contest follows the resignation of LDF member Raji Rajeev after she obtained employment overseas. Mallika Ravi is contesting for the UDF, Sugandhi Joshi for the LDF and Sandra Subrahmanian for the NDA.
Madaplathuruth became vacant after UDF member Sebi Puthenveettil resigned following employment abroad. The ward is in the North Paravur Assembly constituency, represented by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan.
The results are not expected to change the governing arrangements in the local bodies. The UDF controls Kochi Corporation, Poothrukka and Parakkadavu panchayats, while the LDF governs Vadakkekara.
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