According to the updated electoral roll, the Nilambur constituency comprises 2,32,381 registered voters — 1,13,613 men, 1,18,760 women, and eight individuals identifying as transgender.
Published Jun 19, 2025 | 9:16 AM ⚊ Updated Jun 19, 2025 | 6:01 PM
Voting underway in Nilambur.
Synopsis: Voting is underway at the Nilambur Assembly constituency in Kerala. There are a total of 10 candidates in the fray.
Despite persistent heavy rains, voting is progressing steadily in the by-poll at the Nilambur Assembly constituency in Kerala on Thursday, 19 June. The mock poll had started at 5.30 am. The voting, which began at 7 am, will continue till 6 pm.
To ensure a smooth electoral process, 263 polling stations have been set up, which include 59 newly added booths. The Election Commission (EC) has deployed 315 electronic voting machines (EVMs), including backup units, along with 341 VVPAT devices.
According to the updated electoral roll, the Nilambur constituency comprises 2,32,381 registered voters — 1,13,613 men, 1,18,760 women, and eight individuals identifying as transgender.
The by-poll was necessitated after Left-backed independent MLA PV Anvar resigned due to his differences with the LDF government. He later joined the Trinamool Congress (TMC) but is contesting the election as an independent, as the TMC is not a recognised party in the state.”
The EC said the constituency recorded 70.76 percent voter turnout till 5 pm. It was 59.68 percent and 46.73 percent turnout at 3 pm and 1 pm, respectively.
Meanwhile, candidates of both major fronts — LDF’s M Swaraj and UDF’s Aryadan Shoukath — cast their votes early in the day.
Aryadan Shoukath exercised his franchise at booth number 184 of Veettikkuthu Government LP School, accompanied by his family.
Speaking to the media, Shoukath said, “It’s a good response. The rain won’t affect the turnout. This is our first election without my father, and there’s every condition for a good majority this time. Fifty-nine new booths have been added, too.”
LDF candidate M Swaraj voted at Mankuth LP School. After casting his vote, Swaraj told reporters, “What matters most is to exercise the right to vote. With each phase of this campaign, my confidence has grown, and I trust the people’s verdict.”
Officials reported a steady flow of voters to polling booths, undeterred by the rain. A total of 263 polling stations, including 59 new polling stations, have been set up for the by-election. Three booths were set up inside the forest, which included only tribal areas.
Meanwhile, Anvar made some sharp remarks at his rivals.
Speaking to reporters during a booth visit, Anvar quipped: “Once the votes were counted, Aryadan Shoukath can write a story, M Swaraj can go to the Secretariat, and I will go to the Assembly.”
He accused both the LDF and UDF of sidelining people’s real issues during the campaign. Anvar also took a swipe at the UDF candidate, claiming he focused more on cinema dialogues than political matters.
Meanwhile, Malappuram District Congress Committee (DCC) President V S Joy expressed confidence that the UDF would register a historic win in Nilambur. He said the UDF had shown consistent excellence throughout the campaign and predicted that Anvar, despite being a two-term MLA, would end up splitting the LDF’s vote share.
There are 11 problem-prone booths in seven areas, and heavy security has been arranged at 14 critical booths, including three booths in the forest. There are a total of 10 candidates in the fray.
(With inputs from Sreelakshmi Soman and Dileep V Kumar.)
