Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala has recorded a high-voltage start to its local body election season, with 1,64,427 nomination papers filed across the state for the upcoming two-phase polls. The submission process wrapped up on Friday evening, marking a key milestone in one of India’s largest grassroots democratic exercises.

The elections will span 23,576 wards and divisions, covering municipal corporations, municipalities, gram panchayats, block panchayats, and district panchayats.

Among districts, Malappuram emerged on top with 19,959 nominations, while Wayanad logged the lowest at 5,227.

In total, 1,08,580 candidates are in the fray — including 57,227 women, 51,352 men, and one transgender candidate — underlining a steadily evolving demographic profile in Kerala’s local governance landscap

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