UDF retains Kozhikode ward but victory margin narrows sharply

The United Democratic Front retained the Kuttichira ward in Kozhikode Corporation in a byelection held on Monday, but its margin fell sharply compared with the previous local body poll. Indian Union Muslim League candidate Farseena Arakkal won 2,711 votes when the result was declared on Tuesday morning. Her Left Democratic Front opponent, Indian National League candidate T.T.

Jamsheena, received 2,275 votes, giving Arakkal a majority of 436. K. Jeeja of the National Democratic Alliance polled 204 votes.

The UDF’s previous candidate, Fathima Thahiliya, had defeated the LDF opponent by 2,273 votes in the 2025 local body election. The byelection was required after Thahiliya won the Perambra constituency in the May Assembly election. Polling turnout was lower than in the previous local body election.

Of 9,712 registered voters, 5,281 cast ballots, representing about 54 per cent turnout compared with 58 per cent in 2025. Male turnout was 51.56 per cent and female turnout was 57.23 per cent. IUML district leaders, including T.T.

Ismail, alleged that the Communist Party of India (Marxist) had conducted misleading campaigning and said this contributed to the lower polling percentage. The available material does not include a response from the CPI(M) or the LDF to that allegation. The result preserves the UDF’s hold on the ward, while the reduced majority provides the principal change from the previous contest.