Satheesan government faces first major electoral test as counting begins in 38 local body wards across 12 districts

: The results of by-elections in 38 local body wards across 12 districts in Keralam will likely be the first major electoral test for the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government, which is riding high on the overwhelming mandate it received in the Assembly polls.

The counting will begin at 10 a.m. The State Election Commission (SEC) has pegged the overall voter turnout at 58.81% across the wards . As many as 3,09,713 voters have exercised their franchise.

The results, expected to trickle in soon, could have significant consequences for the UDF, the Left Democratic Front (LDF) opposition and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance.