Counting of Votes Begins in Crucial Nilambur Byelection

Malappuram, Kerala: The counting of votes for the high-stakes Nilambur byelection commenced on Monday. This bypoll sees the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF), spearheaded by CPI(M), locked in an intense contest against the United Democratic Front (UDF) led by the Congress party. Initial trends revealed that UDF candidate Aryadan Shoukath had taken a slight lead as counting commenced promptly at 8 am at Chungathara Marthoma Higher Secondary School. This followed the opening of the strong room housing the voting machines by election officials.

The counting process began with postal ballots and was succeeded by the tallying of votes from the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) starting at 8.10 am. Expectations are high as the counting involves 263 polling booths with 19 planned rounds, promising a long and tense day for the candidates and party workers.

Scenes outside the counting center, which is under stringent security, showed anxious supporters anticipating the results, as portrayed on local television channels. The Nilambur constituency seat became vacant after the resignation of sitting MLA P V Anvar, setting off this fervent political clash in the forest-fringed area.

This byelection has captured widespread attention, signifying a crucial mid-term assessment for the LDF government, now advancing into its fourth year in tenure. On the other hand, a victory for the UDF would offer a crucial moral boost ahead of next year's Assembly elections.