The Wayanad Lok Sabha by-poll, held on Wednesday, saw a historic low in voter turnout, with just 64.72% of voters casting their ballots, the weakest since the constituency’s formation in 2009, as reported by The Indian Express. This poll was necessitated by Rahul Gandhi vacating the seat to focus on his Rae Bareli constituency in Uttar Pradesh, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra contested here for the first time.

In contrast, the voter turnout in the Chelakkara assembly by-poll in Thrissur was notably higher at 72.54%. Priyanka Gandhi is contesting against CPI’s Sathyan Mokeri and BJP’s Navya Haridas, but the low turnout has raised concerns, especially after Congress campaigned for a substantial margin of victory. However, the Congress-led UDF downplayed these concerns, with VD Satheesan, Leader of the Opposition in Kerala, suggesting that the low turnout was primarily due to a lack of voter enthusiasm in CPI(M)-strongholds.

To boost support, top Congress leaders, including AICC general secretaries KC Venugopal and Deepa Dasmuni, joined Priyanka Gandhi for corner meetings and ensured strong MLA participation during the campaign. Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee office bearers also led panchayat-level outreach to engage voters.

The campaign was further bolstered by senior Congress leaders, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, and Karnataka’s deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar, who took an active role in Priyanka Gandhi’s campaign efforts.

The poll took place only months after the region was devastated by a massive landslide that claimed the lives of 231 people, with 47 still missing. Special polling arrangements were made for survivors from the affected villages of Mundakkai, Chooralmala, and Attamala, with booths in Meppadi to facilitate their participation in the election.