Why Have CPI-M Nominees Been Elected Unopposed in Kerala's Local Body Polls?
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Synopsis
In a surprising turn of events, the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) has clinched unopposed victories in 14 wards of Kannur district ahead of the Kerala local body elections. This article explores the implications of these uncontested wins amidst allegations of intimidation and misconduct.
Key Takeaways
- CPI(M) won 14 wards unopposed.
- Allegations of forged signatures and coercion surfaced.
- Opposition parties are raising concerns about democratic integrity.
- Withdrawal of UDF candidates has intensified the political landscape.
- Legal discrepancies were cited by CPI(M) for unopposed wins.
Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 24 (NationPress) Prior to the voting for the local body elections in Kerala, set for December 9 and 11, the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) has achieved unopposed victories in 14 wards within Kannur district.
This success follows a wave of nomination paper cancellations, withdrawals, and claims of forged signatures and coercion, resulting in several wards having no contenders against LDF candidates.
The last day for withdrawal of nominations was Monday.
In both Anthoor Municipality and Kannapuram Grama Panchayat, LDF candidates were elected unopposed in a total of 11 wards.
In Anthoor, five candidates emerged victorious after the nomination papers of United Democratic Front (UDF) nominees in Kodalloor and Thali wards were invalidated during scrutiny.
Officials indicated that the signatures from proposers were falsified, which the proposers themselves confirmed were not genuine. In Kannapuram Panchayat, LDF saw six unopposed victories after both a UDF candidate in Ward 1 and a BJP candidate in Ward 8 faced rejection due to invalid proposer signatures.
This led to LDF’s Usha Mohanan and T.E. Mohanan being declared winners from their wards without a contest.
In Ward 5 (Anchampeedika) of Anthoor, UDF candidate K. Livia withdrew her nomination, alleging she had been abducted.
The Congress party has accused the CPI-M of intimidating her into withdrawing, while CPI-M counters this claim, stating that numerous UDF nominations were annulled due to documentation errors and misleading proposer information.
Several other wards, including Wards 13, 18, and 26, experienced similar results, either through rejected nominations or withdrawals, effectively reducing competition for the LDF.
In certain locations, such as Morazha and Podikkundu, the UDF did not field any candidates at all.
The Congress party has alleged that the CPI-M is “butchering democracy” by employing intimidation tactics to orchestrate uncontested wins.
Kannur DCC President Martin George stated that the CPI-M has enacted a form of dictatorship by intimidating the supporters of opposing candidates.
In contrast, the CPI-M asserts that it merely highlighted legal inconsistencies in nomination documents.
As Kannur approaches the polls, the early unopposed victories for the CPI-M have paved the way for a politically charged election season.
Point of View
The unopposed victories of CPI(M) candidates in Kerala raise significant questions about the integrity of the electoral process. The accusations of coercion and misconduct highlight a concerning trend that could impact voter confidence and political engagement in the region. Critical examination and accountability are essential as the election season unfolds.
NationPress
24/11/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What led to the unopposed victories of CPI(M) nominees?
The unopposed victories were primarily due to nomination paper cancellations and withdrawals, along with allegations of forged signatures and coercion against rival candidates.
How many wards did the CPI(M) win unopposed?
The CPI(M) secured unopposed victories in a total of 14 wards in Kannur district.
What allegations have been made against CPI(M)?
The Congress party has accused the CPI(M) of employing intimidation tactics to engineer uncontested victories, which the CPI(M) refutes by citing legal discrepancies in nominations.
What was the reaction of the opposition to these developments?
The Congress party has condemned the CPI(M)'s actions, claiming they undermine democracy and have characterized the situation as a form of dictatorship.
What is the significance of these uncontested elections?
These uncontested elections could set a troubling precedent for future political engagement and voter confidence in the electoral process in Kerala.
