People wait in a queue to cast votes during the Kerala Assembly elections, at a polling station, in Thiruvananthapuram, Thursday. (Source: PTI Photo)Kerala Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: Voting for Kerala’s 140 Assembly seats concluded at 6 pm on Thursday with many voters still in queues at several polling stations. Authorities issued tokens to those present at closing time, allowing them to cast their ballots. By 5 pm, turnout stood at 75.01%, slightly higher than the 74.06% recorded in the 2021 polls. The final turnout figure will be confirmed after all queued voters have voted. Voting took place under tight security with over 76,000 personnel deployed and Live webcasting in place.
Assam Election Voting 2026 LIVE: Follow Latest Updates Here
Kerala’s political landscape: Kerala is used to a political rivalry between the CPI (M)-led Left Democratic Front and the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF). However, the 2026 Assembly election has also seen the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerge as a key player in its political landscape. The CPI (M), led by Pinarayi Vijayan, aims to retain power for a third consecutive term, while the UDF seeks to return to power. Meanwhile, the BJP-led NDA is looking to seize a critical opportunity to expand its presence in Kerala politics.
Party promises and manifestos
Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF): The UDF has introduced the “Indira guarantees” that include free bus rides for women, Rs 1,000 monthly assistance for women college students, Oomen Chandy health insurance scheme, youth start up loans, and a hike in welfare pension to Rs 3,000.
CPI (M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF): The LDF has highlighted its decade-long accomplishments for the 2026 elections, focussing on poverty elimination, student support, women’s employment, tourism development, and public sector expansion.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): The BJP has promised food security cards for below poverty line (BPL) families, an AIIMS campus, free LPG cylinders for the poor during Onam and Christmas, and an increase in welfare pension to Rs 3,000.
Voting for Kerala’s 140 Assembly seats concluded at 6 pm on Thursday, with many voters still in queues at several polling stations. Authorities issued tokens to those present at closing time, allowing them to cast their ballots. By 5 pm, turnout stood at 75.01%, slightly higher than the 74.06% recorded in the 2021 polls. The final turnout figure will be confirmed after all queued voters have voted.
(Source: PTI Photos)
Kerala Chief Electoral Officer Rathan U Kelkar on Thursday expressed confidence that voter turnout in the Assembly elections could reach 90% if current trends continue. Voting rose steadily from 16.23% at 9 am to nearly 50% by 1 pm, with polling largely peaceful across over 30,000 booths. Minor delays were reported at two booths due to EVM issues. Kelkar also noted that electoral roll revisions may have influenced turnout and encouraged voters to participate. While some booths offered halwa to first-time voters, a few in Kozhikode reported not receiving it, says a PTI report.
BJP State Vice President AN Radhakrishnan casts vote in Ernakulam.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsVIDEO | Kerala polls: BJP State Vice President AN Radhakrishnan casts vote in Ernakulam.#assemblypollswithpti #keralapollswithpti
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 9, 2026
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/B4AeSXiDJW
Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge said the remarks by Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge were meant to highlight Kerala’s higher literacy rate.
He said the statement was misconstrued and taken out of context.
He added that Kharge has already apologised if the remarks hurt people of Gujarat.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsVIDEO | Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge (@PriyankKharge), on Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge's 'illiterate Gujaratis' remarks, said, "What Kharge meant was that Kerala is a more literate state, and the statistics speak for that. It was misconstrued, and if it has hurt the… pic.twitter.com/4aa44Sy6AM
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 9, 2026
Kerala High Court judge, Justice Ramachandran casts his vote in Kochi. He says, "This is a constitutional duty."
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsVIDEO | Kerala polls: Kerala High Court judge, Justice Ramachandran casts his vote in Kochi.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 9, 2026
He says, "This is a constitutional duty."#assemblypollswithpti #keralapollswithpti
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/nGFOMuqvlJ
A 33 per cent voter turnout was witnessed in the first four hours of polling in Kerala Assembly elections on Thursday, officials said.
ISRO chairman V Narayanan casts vote at Salvation Army Public School in Thiruvananthapuram.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsVIDEO | Kerala polls: ISRO chairman V Narayanan casts vote at Salvation Army Public School in Thiruvananthapuram.#assemblypollswithpti #keralapollswithpti
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 9, 2026
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/HbzmX02dEZ
A 62-year-old man collapsed and died after casting his vote at Vaniampara here on Thursday.
The deceased was identified as Vinodan, a native of Ramanchira near Vaniampara, police said.
According to police, Vinodan had reached EKM UP School in Vaniampara in the morning to cast his vote.
After standing in the queue for nearly an hour, he exercised his franchise.
While coming out of the polling station, he suddenly collapsed at around 10.45 am, police said.
(PTI)
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, says, "I would say that if you are going to look at the turnout on the whole by the end of the day, it may even surpass previous level ever established. That's because people of Kerala want to vote for a change."
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsVIDEO | Kerala Elections 2026: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) says, "I would say that if you are going to look at the turnout on the whole by the end of the day, it may even surpass previous level ever established. That's because people of Kerala want to vote for a… pic.twitter.com/BEQjNyutKI
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 9, 2026
Congress candidate Chandy Oommen, son of former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, wore black attire as a mark of protest while arriving to cast his vote along with his family in the crucial Assembly election at Puthuppally on Thursday.
At around 10.30 am, Oommen, accompanied by his mother and sister, reached the polling station.
This is the first Assembly election being held after the death of Oommen Chandy in 2023.
Chandy Oommen, who had won the Puthuppally by-election, is now seeking to retain the UDF stronghold in a crucial contest involving the UDF, LDF and NDA.
(PTI)
Actor Mammotty and his wife Sulfath Kutty cast their vote at Christ King Convent in Kochi.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsVIDEO | Kerala election: Actor Mammotty and his wife Sulfath Kutty cast their vote at Christ King Convent in Kochi. #assemblypollswithpti #keralapollswithpti
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 9, 2026
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/eYUvPDclTj
Governor Rajendra Arlekar casts his vote in Thrissur, says, "I have just completed by sacred duty. I have voted for the first time in the assembly elections of our state and hoping that always good persons will be getting elected. The government which we want will be coming there, no doubt about that. I am very happy that I have voted and I request all the people in the state that come out in large number and do their sacred duty."
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsVIDEO | Kerala Elections 2026: Governor Rajendra Arlekar casts his vote in Thrissur, says, "I have just completed by sacred duty. I have voted for the first time in the assembly elections of our state and hoping that always good persons will be getting elected. The government… pic.twitter.com/ezvrMDSlRl
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 9, 2026
Former Defence Minister A K Antony arrives to cast his vote at Jagathy School in Thiruvananthapuram.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsVIDEO | Kerala assembly polls: Former Defence Minister A K Antony arrives to cast his vote at Jagathy School in Thiruvananthapuram.#assemblypollswithpti #keralapollswithpti
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 9, 2026
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/Y5GANA83KN
Polling in the Kerala Assembly elections saw a turnout of over 16 per cent after the first two hours of voting on Thursday.
According to Election Commission (EC) figures, polling till 9 am recorded a turnout of 16.23 per cent with the highest being in Ernakulam district with 17.8 per cent.
Constituency-wise, the highest polling percentage till 9 am was seen in Thripunithura with 20.59 per cent, according to EC data.
(PTI)
A 36-year-old dwarf voter brought his own stool to cast his vote at Government Lower Primary School, Cotton Hill, in Vazhuthacaud, Thiruvananthapuram.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsVIDEO | Kerala Assembly polls: A 36-year-old dwarf voter brought his own stool to cast his vote at Government Lower Primary School, Cotton Hill, in Vazhuthacaud, Thiruvananthapuram.#assemblypollswithpti #keralapollswithpti
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 9, 2026
(Full video available on PTI Videos -… pic.twitter.com/pHlzGW1ow2
Former ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan casts his vote at Eanchakkal LP School in Thiruvananthapuram.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsVIDEO | Kerala Elections 2026: Former ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan speaks to PTI after casting his vote at Eanchakkal LP School in Thiruvananthapuram.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 9, 2026
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7)#assemblypollswithpti#keralapollswithpti pic.twitter.com/8SbY1Fhn5r
Congress MP KC Venugopal casts his vote at Higher Secondary School, Thiruvampady.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsVIDEO | Kerala Elections 2026: Congress MP KC Venugopal casts his vote at Higher Secondary School, Thiruvampady.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 9, 2026
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7)#assemblypollswithpti#keralapollswithpti pic.twitter.com/Mb5RIEM4f5
CM Pinarayi Vijayan casts his vote at Dharmadom, Kannur.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsVIDEO | Kerala Elections 2026: CM Pinarayi Vijayan casts his vote at Dharmadom, Kannur.#assemblypollswithpti#keralapollswithpti
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 9, 2026
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/xkXfJh2ZDS
Actor Mohanlal stands in line to cast his vote at Government LP School, Mudavanmugal, in Thiruvananthapuram.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsVIDEO | Kerala Elections 2026: Actor Mohanlal stands in line to cast his vote at Government LP School, Mudavanmugal, in Thiruvananthapuram.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 9, 2026
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7)#assemblypollswithpti#keralapollswithpti pic.twitter.com/GxF6PjFJQD
Voters queuing up at a polling station in Aroor in Alappuzha district of Kerala.
Kerala LoP V. D. Satheesan said there is a clear trend of long queues across the state, indicating high voter turnout, and stressed that politically aware voters understand the stakes.
He said, "Everywhere there is a trend. Everywhere across the state there are large queues, that is my information. Voting percentage will be high. It is a political fight, and people are aware what is happening. People of Kerala are very much politically aware."
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsVIDEO | Kerala Elections 2026: Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly VD Satheesan, says, "Everywhere there is a trend. Everywhere across the state there are large queues, that is my information. Voting percentage will be high. It is a political fight, and people are aware what… pic.twitter.com/MfucH0TBei
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 9, 2026
Kerala BJP chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar said the 2026 Assembly elections are crucial and expressed confidence that people will vote for a better future after casting his vote.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsVIDEO | Kerala Elections 2026: "This is an important election, I am confident people will vote for a better future," says Kerala BJP chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar (@RajeevRC_X).
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 9, 2026
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7)#assemblypollswithpti… pic.twitter.com/QYr0l9JMaP
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on X called upon the people of Kerala to vote in large numbers in the 2026 Assembly elections, saying record participation would strengthen the state’s democratic spirit.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsCalling upon the people of Keralam to vote in large numbers in the 2026 Assembly elections. Record participation will add vigour to Keralam’s democratic spirit. I particularly request the youth and women of the state to step forward and vote in large numbers.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 9, 2026
Here are the key candidates in the major battleground constituencies of the Kerala Assembly Elections 2026:
Nemom
V. Sivankutty (LDF)
Rajeev Chandrasekhar (NDA)
K. S. Sabarinadhan (UDF)
Thrissur
Alankode Leelakrishnan (LDF)
Rajan Pallan (UDF)
Padmaja Venugopal (NDA)
Palakkad
N. M. R. Razak (LDF-backed Independent)
Ramesh Pisharody (UDF)
Shobha Surendran (NDA)
Manjeswaram
A. K. M. Ashraf (UDF)
K. Surendran (NDA)
K. R. Jayananda (LDF)
Vattiyoorkavu
V. K. Prasanth (LDF)
K. Muraleedharan (UDF)
R. Sreelekha (NDA)
Visuals from Chief Electoral Officer's state-level control room in Thiruvananthapuram.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsVIDEO | Kerala Elections 2026: Visuals from Chief Electoral Officer's state-level control room in Thiruvananthapuram.#assemblypollswithpti#keralapollswithpti
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 9, 2026
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/VOOUpPkbGC
The Kerala Assembly Elections 2026 have shaped up to be a tightly contested battle right till the last day of campaigning. While all 140 seats matter, key battlegrounds such as Nemom, Thrissur, Palakkad, Manjeswaram, and Vattiyoorkavu stand out due to close margins previously and intense three-way contests between the LDF, UDF, and NDA.
Voting in Kerala begins to elect 140 members for the Assembly elections.
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