Malappuram, June 23 (UNI) Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate Aryadan Shoukath was leading with a margin of 2290 votes against CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate M. Swaraj in the Nilambur Assembly by-election at the end of the four-round counting held (out of 14 rounds) at Chungathara Marthoma HSS on Monday.
UDF secured 15335 votes, LDF – 13045 votes, Independent candidate and former Nilambur MLA P. V. Anvar – 5539 and BJP-led NDA candidate Mohan George – 1902 votes each.
The votes of the UDF-controlled Vazhikkadavu panchayat were counted first. Four panchayats, Vazhikkadavu, Moothedam, Edakkara and Chungathara, are UDF strongholds, while Pothukkallu, Karulai, Amarambalam panchayath and Nilambur Municipality were said to be LDF stronghold panchayats. The counting of LDF stronghold areas will be counted last, and the LDF have a hope that they will come back at the last and win with a slight margin.
Former MLA P. V. Anvar continued his hopes on Pothukallu, Edakkara, Karulai and Amarambalam panchayats and Nilambur municipalities.
The Nilambur assembly by-election held on June 19 recorded a voter turnout of 75.27 per cent. Out of a total of 232,057 voters, 174,667 people reached the polling booth and exercised their right to vote. Out of 113,299 male voters, 81,007; out of 118,750 female voters, 93,658; and two out of eight transgenders exercised their right to vote.
UNI AK ARN