Kerala local body polls: UDF retains four municipalities, LDF holds three in Kozhikode

The United Democratic Front (UDF) retained control in four of the seven municipalities in Kozhikode district, reflecting the pro-UDF trend seen across the State following the announcement of the local body election results on Saturday (December 13, 2025). The front emerged victorious in the Ramanattukara, Feroke, Payyoli and Koduvally municipalities.

UDF leaders attributed the success to consistent governance and people-oriented development initiatives. They also said that what they had described as baseless propaganda by rival fronts failed to influence the electorates.

Despite a strong anti-incumbency wave and unexpected setbacks in other districts, the Left Democratic Front (LDF) managed to hold on to power in the Vadakara, Koyilandy and Mukkom municipalities.

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) which had won nine wards across various municipalities in the district in the 2020 elections succeeded in retaining the same tally in 2025.

LDF leaders said that a comparison of achievements under the LDF and the UDF ruled municipalities during the previous term would clearly demonstrate their performance. They claimed the front retained power by fulfilling all promises made when it assumed office.

In the Ramanattukara municipality, the UDF secured 22 of the 32 seats, while the LDF won nine seats and one seat went to an Independent candidate. In the 2020 elections, the UDF and the LDF had won 17 and 12 seats respectively.

Feroke municipality once again backed the UDF, which won 23 of the 39 seats. The LDF secured 14 seats, while the NDA and an Independent candidate won one seat each. In the previous term, the UDF and the LDF had secured 20 and 17 seats respectively, with one seat going to the NDA.

In both Koduvally and Payyoli, the UDF retained power by winning 21 seats each. In Koduvally, the LDF was restricted to just three of the 37 seats, while others, including Independents and candidates of the National Secular Conference, won 13 seats. In Payyoli, the LDF won 14 of the 37 seats, same as in the previous term, while the remaining two seats went to the NDA and an Independent candidate.

The LDF’s three-decade-long dominance continued in Koyilandy, where it won 22 of the 46 seats. The UDF put up a strong fight, winning 19 seats, while four NDA candidates and an Independent also enjoyed success. In 2020, the LDF had won 25 seats, the UDF 16, and the NDA three.

In Vadakara, despite the anti-incumbency trend, voters returned the LDF to power with 28 of the 48 seats. The UDF won 12 seats after a closely fought contest, while the NDA and Independent candidates secured three and two seats respectively. In 2020, the LDF and the UDF had won 27 and 16 seats respectively, with three NDA members and one Independent in the council.

Mukkom witnessed a closely-contested election across its 34 wards, with the LDF emerging ahead by winning 16 seats. The UDF secured 10 seats.

Victory of the Welfare Party of India candidates in four seats was another major development, despite rival parties alleging a tactical understanding with the Congress and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML). In the previous term, the LDF had formed the council with the support of an IUML rebel.