# VD Satheesan faces first electoral test as Kerala holds by-elections across 38 wards

> Polling is underway for 38 local body wards across 12 districts in Kerala, marking the first major electoral test for the ruling alliance. The results will determine whether the massive victory from four months ago translates into grassroots support.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Politics · **Published:** 2026-09-28 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/politics/kerala-ke-38-vardon-ke-upachunava-men-vd-satheesan-aura-udf-ki-sakha-danva-para-kya-mai-ki-jita-sabita-hogi-39839 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Kerala By-elections, VD Satheesan, UDF, LDF, Local Body Elections

Political momentum has picked up sharply in Kerala as voting begins for local body by-elections across the state. This contest is considered a crucial litmus test for Chief Minister VD Satheesan and the ruling UDF alliance, marking their first major electoral trial since securing a historic mandate four months ago. Observers are closely watching to see if that major victory was merely a temporary wave or the sign of a deeper, lasting political shift in the region.

## Electoral spread across twelve districts
The current round of by-elections covers thirty-eight local body wards spread across twelve districts, with Kollam and Alappuzha being the exceptions for this phase. According to election officials, the contest features two corporation wards, three municipality wards, three district panchayat wards, seven block panchayat wards, and twenty-three grama panchayat wards. A total of one hundred and twenty-six candidates are locked in battle across these constituencies.

## Existing seat equations and party stakes
Out of the thirty-eight wards going to polls, twenty-two were previously held by the UDF, while the LDF held fifteen seats. For the Left coalition, these by-elections present an opportunity to reclaim lost ground and demonstrate ongoing political relevance following their setback in the assembly polls. Meanwhile, the NDA led by the BJP is also actively contesting the local seats, leaving all three major political forces eager to measure their grassroots standing.

## Key campaign issues and political sparring
The run-up to the polls saw intense political sparring, with the opposition targeting the administration over power supply issues, along with controversies surrounding official air travel and foreign tours by ministers. In response, the ruling coalition highlighted its welfare initiatives, including the Priyadarshini scheme. The campaign thus combined local grievances with broader discussions surrounding the government's early performance.

## Polling schedule and counting details
Voting commenced on Monday at 7 am and continued until 6 pm. According to the State Election Commission, the counting of votes is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, September 29, at 10 am, with final results expected by the afternoon. While these results will not rewrite the political landscape of the entire state, they will offer a clear snapshot of shifting dynamics across these thirty-eight local wards.

## What this means for you
These local by-elections in Kerala carry direct implications for grassroots governance and public sentiment regarding the current administration's early performance.

- **Across India:** Such regional contests serve as a bellwether for how statewide political shifts translate into continued local support. Political parties nationwide closely monitor these trends to gauge shifting voter loyalty.
- **In Kerala:** For voters across the thirty-eight contested wards in twelve districts, these outcomes influence local governance, utility management, and administrative accountability. The results determine which coalition holds sway at the grassroot level.

## Why this happened
Following the major political transition during the assembly elections four months ago, these by-elections became an essential arena for both major coalitions to measure their enduring strength.

- **Post-election dynamics:** The recent shift in state power created an urgent need for political groups to test their continued grassroots influence.
- **Local leadership testing:** These ward-level contests evaluate how effectively regional leaders maintain engagement with voters and address local civic concerns.
- **Opposition mobilization:** Both the LDF and NDA recognized the necessity of contesting these seats to challenge the ruling momentum and reclaim political space.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. How many districts in Kerala are holding by-elections?
The by-elections are being held across a total of 12 districts in the state.

### 2. How many wards are going to the polls in this phase?
Voting is taking place across 38 local body wards in the state.

### 3. When did voting begin and end?
Polling commenced on Monday at 7 am and concluded at 6 pm.

### 4. On which day will the votes be counted?
The counting of votes is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, September 29, at 10 am.

### 5. How many candidates are contesting these elections?
A total of 126 candidates are contesting across these 38 wards.

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