Defying the morning downpour, determined voters arrived at booths with umbrellas and raincoats, while others waited for the skies to clear before casting their ballots.
Published Jun 19, 2025 | 9:53 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 20, 2025 | 1:14 PM
A group of voters from a tribal community pose after casting their votes at the Vaniyanpuzha Iruttukuthy polling booth.
Synopsis: Polling for the high-stakes Nilambur by-election concluded peacefully on Thursday, with a strong 75.27 percent voter turnout, setting the stage for a closely watched result on 23 June. Despite early rain and a minor scuffle between party supporters, the process was largely smooth, overseen by tight security. The by-election, triggered by PV Anvar’s resignation, is seen as a crucial prelude to Kerala’s upcoming Assembly elections.
Nilambur has delivered its verdict, and it is now only a matter of days before the ballot boxes reveal what the voters have decided.
The high-stakes byelection to the Nilambur Assembly seat – necessitated by the resignation of PV Anvar in January – saw brisk polling on Thursday, 19 June, with a voter turnout of 75.27 percent, edging past the 75.23 percent turnout in the 2021 Assembly polls — a marginal but noteworthy increase that reflects the high-octane clash that the constituency witnessed. Of the 2.32 lakh voters in the Constituency, 1.74 lakh voters cast their votes.
A brief spell of rain slowed down early voting, but polling gained momentum later in the day, reflecting the intensity of the campaign that gripped the constituency.
The fate of ten candidates is now sealed, with counting scheduled for 23 June at Chungathara Marthoma Higher Secondary School.
Intermittent rain may have disrupted early voters in Nilambur on polling day, but it failed to dampen the democratic spirit.
Voters at Government Model UP School, Nilambur
Defying the morning downpour, determined voters arrived at booths with umbrellas and raincoats, while others waited for the skies to clear before casting their ballots.
By noon, the pace had picked up sharply, mirroring the campaign fever that had swept through Nilambur over the past four weeks.
Polling, which began at 7 am, recorded a voter turnout of 13.15 percent in the first two hours. By 11 am, 30.15 percent had voted, and by 1 pm, turnout had risen to 46.73 percent.
By 3 pm, it stood at 59.68 percent, reaching 70.76 percent by 5 pm. Most booths were crowded from early morning.
The final count is estimated at 74.35 percent as of 9 pm, lesser than the 2021 turnout of 75.23 percent.
Voting proceeded peacefully under the watch of 1,200 policemen and central forces.
No major incidents were reported, except for a minor scuffle between LDF and UDF supporters near booths 127, 128 and 129 at a school in Chungathara. Police have taken two individuals into custody.
There were allegations that people from outside the constituency had reached the area and were attempting to influence voters in violation of election rules. The clash reportedly broke out after this was questioned.
Police intervened swiftly and brought the situation under control.
For Kerala’s political fronts, the Nilambur byelection was more than just a local contest – it served as a trial run ahead of the upcoming local body and Assembly elections.
The 21-day campaign saw the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF), the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF), and the BJP-led NDA pulling out all the stops, organising mass rallies, door-to-door canvassing, and social media drives.
The campaign trail featured both emotional moments and sharp exchanges.
A policeman helps an elderly voter
UDF candidate Aryadan Shoukath, son of the late Congress veteran Aryadan Mohammed, cast his vote at Veettikkuthu Government LP School, accompanied by his family.
“This is our first election without my father,” Shoukath told reporters. “But the public response has been tremendous. Rain won’t deter Nilambur’s voters.”
LDF candidate M Swaraj, former MLA and firebrand CPI(M) leader, voted at Mankuth LP School and expressed quiet confidence.
“Every vote matters. With every phase of this campaign, my belief in the people’s verdict has only grown stronger,” he said.
NDA candidate Mohan George cast his vote at Chungathara Marthoma Higher Secondary School, arriving with his family.
Meanwhile, independent candidate and former MLA PV Anvar – who is not a voter in the constituency – managed to stay in the spotlight with a series of sharp remarks.
Speaking to reporters during a booth visit, Anvar said, “Once the votes are counted, Aryadan Shoukath can resume his script writing, M Swaraj can head to the Secretariat, and I will go to the Assembly.”
He accused both the LDF and UDF of ignoring core issues, asserting that his fight for Nilambur’s hill farmers was just beginning.
UDF candidate Aryadan Shoukath along with family after casting vote
Anvar also laid out his post-election plans.
“I will win for sure. If needed, I’ll walk with the people to the Kerala Legislative Assembly for taking the oath. It may take a week. But it doesn’t matter,” he declared.
He mocked the UDF candidate for focusing more on cinema-style dialogues than substantive policy debate during the campaign.
Malappuram DCC President VS Joy, meanwhile, voiced confidence that the UDF would secure a historic victory. “The campaign response was overwhelmingly positive. Anvar may end up cutting into the LDF’s votes, but the people are with us,” he said.
A brief and charged encounter between Nilambur byelection candidates Anvar and Shoukath became the talking point on polling day after Anvar publicly refused a hug from his rival, calling it a deceptive gesture.
The two candidates met in front of the media during a booth visit. While they shook hands, Shoukath extended his arms for a hug – only to be stopped by Anvar, who curtly told him, “Don’t hug me.”
When reporters asked whether such moments of camaraderie between political rivals sent a positive message, Anvar dismissed the gesture sharply.
Independent candidate P V Anvar sharing a light moment with an LDF supporter
“There’s no need for that. It would be like Dhritarashtra’s hug,” he said, referring to the Mahabharata tale where the blind king Dhritarashtra crushed Bhima with a deadly embrace.
The entire exchange lasted barely three seconds.
“Shoukath is someone who wouldn’t even shake hands with VV Prakash on a public stage. I haven’t done anything like that. I extended my hand. But I’m not interested in acting in his drama. That’s a Dhritarashtra hug,” Anvar said.
VV Prakash, the former Malappuram DCC president, had contested against Anvar in the 2021 Assembly elections for the Nilambur seat. He died of a heart attack at the age of 56 in April 2021, just two days before the counting of votes.
Anvar further accused Shoukath of resorting to movie-style theatrics.
“I don’t understand such cinematic gestures. I walk with the common people,” he added.
Anvar also criticised the embrace between LDF candidate Swaraj and UDF’s Shoukath.
“They may call it friendship, but friendship should be sincere, not a prelude to backstabbing,” he remarked.
As voting was underway, an emotional message from the daughter of late Congress leader VV Prakash drew attention on social media.
Voters belonging to the tribal community arriving at a polling booth setup at Punchakolli in Nilambur inside forest
In a heartfelt Facebook post, Nandana Prakash wrote, “First election without father, miss you father.”
The Congress leadership’s relationship with Prakash’s family became a campaign talking point, with rival camps attempting to corner the party over its handling of the issue.
However, after casting their votes at Edakkara GHSS School, Prakash’s wife Smita Prakash and daughter Nandana told the media they held no grievances against UDF candidate Aryadan Shoukath for not visiting their home.
“This is the trust the Congress party has in us. We will remain in the party until our death,” they affirmed.
Polling day also saw senior Congress leader and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor voicing his disappointment over being left out of the Nilambur byelection campaign.
NDA candidate Mohan George after casting his vote
Speaking to reporters, Tharoor said no one from the party had invited him to participate in the campaign.
“I was out of Kerala, but even after returning, I received no message. Had I been asked, I would have definitely gone,” he said.
Tharoor maintained that he held no personal grudges and hoped for a Congress victory in Nilambur.
“Congress workers have worked sincerely, and UDF has a good candidate. My only wish is that the party wins,” he added.
Dismissing persistent rumours about his possible defection to the BJP, Tharoor reaffirmed his commitment to the Congress, stating that he only speaks to the Prime Minister on official matters.
Interestingly, the Congress’s official list of star campaigners for the Nilambur byelection, submitted to the Election Commission, features Tharoor’s name eighth among 40 leaders. The list includes prominent names such as KC Venugopal, Priyanka Gandhi, and K Sudhakaran.
LDF candidate M Swaraj after casting his vote
Reacting to the controversy, Congress leader Rajmohan Unnithan remarked, “It’s not a wedding that someone has to be invited.”
He further accused Tharoor of “mentally aligning with the BJP while physically remaining in the Congress.”
Tharoor reiterated that no one had reached out to him, “even by a missed call.”
“I don’t go anywhere uninvited. It seems they didn’t feel my presence was necessary,” he said, while expressing hope for an easy UDF win in Nilambur.
Chief Electoral Officer of Kerala, Rathan Kelkar IAS, announced that a total of 263 polling stations – including 59 newly set-up booths – were arranged for the Nilambur byelection. In total, 315 voting machines (with reserves) and 341 VVPATs were deployed to ensure smooth polling.
Significantly, three polling booths were established deep inside forest areas, exclusively serving tribal communities.
The constituency identified 11 problem-prone booths across seven locations. The Election Commission categorised 14 booths – including the three forest booths – as critical, warranting heightened security arrangements.
A robust team of 1,301 polling officials was deployed for the election, including 316 presiding officers, 975 polling staff, and 10 micro observers.
As part of a new initiative, polling data was uploaded directly from polling stations using the ECINET App by presiding officers. Under Rule 49S of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, presiding officers furnished Form 17C – containing the actual account of votes recorded – to the polling agents of candidates who were present at the close of poll.
A mock poll was carried out on EVMs at each polling station before polling commenced, in the presence of 1,052 polling agents appointed by various candidates. Facilities were also made available at all polling stations for voters to safely store their mobile phones.
Vaniyampuzha Iruttukuthy polling station inside forest
The CEO further stated that since the election was announced on 25 May 2025, various enforcement teams had seized cash, illicit liquor, drugs, freebies, and bullion worth ₹2,97,37,435. A total of 739 complaints were received via the C-Vigil app, of which 719 were resolved within the stipulated 100-minute window; the remaining were addressed thereafter.
Special security measures are in place at Chungathara Marthoma Higher Secondary School, which houses both the strong room and the counting centre.
One platoon of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) has been assigned to manage the inner cordon security, while the outer cordon is manned by two inspectors, six sub-inspectors, and two platoons of armed police under the supervision of the Nilambur DySP.
On counting day, 14 tables will be used for EVM counting and five for postal ballots and service votes. A total of 91 personnel – including 21 counting supervisors, assistants, micro observers, and seven assistant returning officers (AROs) – will oversee the process. Additionally, 32 officials (eight per table) have been assigned to handle postal ballot counting.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
