Sun Jan 18 11:51:02 UTC 2026: ### Headline: Kerala Panchayat Vice-President Election Annulled Due to Procedural Violations

The Story:
The State Election Commission (SEC) in Kerala, India, has annulled the election of the vice-president of the Kottangal grama panchayat in Pathanamthitta district. The decision came after the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) filed a complaint alleging that the election, held on December 27, 2025, violated statutory norms prescribed under the Kerala Panchayat Raj Act. The panchayat is composed of members from the United Democratic Front (UDF), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), SDPI, and Left Democratic Front (LDF). Fresh elections for both president and vice-president are scheduled for January 21, 2026.

Key Points:
* The election for vice-president took place on December 27, 2025, in the Kottangal grama panchayat, Pathanamthitta district.
* The SDPI filed a complaint with the SEC citing procedural violations during the election.
* The panchayat comprises five UDF, five BJP, three SDPI, and one LDF member.
* During the vice-president election, the UDF and BJP candidates each secured five votes, while the SDPI candidate received three votes. The LDF member abstained.
* The Returning Officer proceeded with a draw of lots after the tie instead of conducting a second round of voting after eliminating the SDPI candidate.
* The SEC found merit in the complaint and annulled the election.
* New elections for president and vice-president are scheduled for January 21, 2026.

Key Takeaways:
* The annulment highlights the importance of adherence to established electoral procedures, even in local elections.
* The incident reveals the complex political dynamics and coalition-building processes at the panchayat level in Kerala.
* The SDPI’s active role in challenging the election outcome demonstrates its engagement in local politics and its willingness to hold other parties accountable.
* The decision of the UDF president to resign after being elected with SDPI support is noteworthy, suggesting potential underlying tensions or disagreements.
* The annulment signifies a temporary disruption in the governance of the Kottangal grama panchayat, pending the fresh elections.

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