India, Dec. 13 -- Counting of votes in the Kerala local body elections began at 8 am on Saturday, December 13, in the 244 centres spread across the state's 14 districts. The results are expected to influence the Kerala assembly election due by April 2026.

All three major fronts - the state's ruling CPI(M)-led LDF, main opposition Congress-led UDF, and the BJP-led NDA - have expressed optimism about performing well in the local body polls.

Local bodies in seven districts of the state - Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Idukki, Kottayam and Ernakulam -- went to the polls on Tuesday, December 9, while the second phase saw the remaining seven districts vote on Thursday, December 11.

Barring 14 wards where candidates (a...