Thiruvananthapuram: The counting of votes polled in the crucial local body elections of Kerala began on Wednesday morning, with the traditional political fronts – CPI(M)-led LDF, Congress-headed UDF and BJP-NDA – keeping their fingers crossed.The result of the local body elections is generally seen as an indicator of the upcoming assembly elections.A total of 21,893 wards in 1,200 local self-governing bodies including 6 corporations, 941 village panchayats, 14 district panchayats and 87 municipalities, went to the polls in three phases in the southern state on December 8, 10 and 14.According to Election Commission figures, a total of 73.12% voter turnout was recorded in the first phase, 76.78% in the second phase and 78.64% in the third and final phase.The counting began at 244 centres at 8 am and the final results were expected to be out by noon, Election Commission sources said.Postal ballots, including the special ballots issued to the COVID-19 positive voters and those under quarantine, were counted first, they said, adding that the entire counting procedure was held in adherence with COVID-19 protocols.Ahead of the announcement of the poll results, section 144 has been in place in northern Malappuram and in some pockets of neighbouring Kozhikode and Kasaragod districts.This time, the civic body polls have gained comparatively more significance as the result is generally considered to reflect the political mind-set of the southern state, which would go to assembly polls after some months.Also read: How the Spectre of Hindutva Captured Politics in KeralaSo, despite COIVD-19 protocols and restrictions, the state witnessed a fierce campaign in which everything, right from national politics to state issues, became a campaign tool.The ruling LDF, which used to showcase a good performance in the civic body polls, banked on achievements on the development front under the four and half year-old rule of the Pinarayi Vijayan government.However, the opposition UDF, focused on various corruption charges against the government, controversies related to the gold smuggling case and allegations against the chief minister’s office, during its campaign.BJP-NDA, which was trying to break the decades-old bipolar polity led by UDF and LDF by all means, was hopeful of showcasing an impressive performance and garnering three-fold seats compared to the 2015 civic polls.In 2015, the ruling Left front had nearly swept the civic polls by winning 549 village panchayats, 90 block panchayats, 44 municipalities and four corporations.At the district panchayat level, both the UDF and LDF had won 7 seats each.BJP had come third in terms of wards in 2015, but displayed an impressive performance in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation and Palakkad municipality.