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- Kerala Election 2026 Live Updates: Polling for 140 Assembly seats in Kerala concludes
THE TIMES OF INDIA | Apr 09, 2026, 18:13:51 IST
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Kerala Election 2026 Live Updates: Polling for 140 Assembly seats in Kerala concludes
Kerala Election 2026: Kerala is all set for a crucial assembly election on Thursday, with 2.71 crore voters poised to cast their franchise in a decisive contest that will test the ruling LDF's bid for a third consecutive term, the opposition UDF's comeback prospects, and the NDA's push to open its account in the state.
After nearly a month of intense campaigning, the southern state will go to the polls in a single phase, with voting to be held from 7 am to 6 pm across all 140 constituencies where 883 candidates are in the fray.
The electorate comprises 1.32 crore men, 1.39 crore women and 273 transgender persons, along with over 2.42 lakh overseas voters, underlining the scale of the electoral exercise, according to Election Commission figures.
The contest, though triangular, is rooted in Kerala's traditionally bipolar political landscape, where power has largely alternated between the LDF and the UDF.
The outcome of this election will indicate whether that pattern holds or if the state is headed towards a shift.
After nearly a month of intense campaigning, the southern state will go to the polls in a single phase, with voting to be held from 7 am to 6 pm across all 140 constituencies where 883 candidates are in the fray.
The electorate comprises 1.32 crore men, 1.39 crore women and 273 transgender persons, along with over 2.42 lakh overseas voters, underlining the scale of the electoral exercise, according to Election Commission figures.
The contest, though triangular, is rooted in Kerala's traditionally bipolar political landscape, where power has largely alternated between the LDF and the UDF.
The outcome of this election will indicate whether that pattern holds or if the state is headed towards a shift.
06:59 (IST) Apr 09
Kerala Assembly Elections Live: ‘All preparations complete, mock poll done,’ says sector officer in Thiruvananthapuram
Speaking to news agency ANI ahead of polling, Sector Officer Baiju confirmed that arrangements at booth 112 in Thiruvananthapuram are fully in place, mock poll procedures have been completed, and election machinery is functioning smoothly, with candidates’ agents cooperating for a seamless voting process.
06:58 (IST) Apr 09
Kerala Election 2026 Live: Polling preparations underway at Kannur school as voters begin arriving
At the Government Higher Secondary School in Chala, Kannur, authorities are seen putting final polling arrangements in place while people gather outside the station ahead of the 7 am start of voting for the assembly elections.
06:50 (IST) Apr 09
Kerala all set for crucial polls; LDF eyes hat-trick, UDF comeback, NDA entry
Kerala is all set for a crucial Assembly election on Thursday, with 2.71 crore voters poised to cast their franchise in a decisive contest that will test the ruling LDF's bid for a third consecutive term, the opposition UDF's comeback prospects, and the NDA's push to open its account in the state.
After nearly a month of intense campaigning, the southern state will go to the polls in a single phase, with voting to be held from 7 am to 6 pm across all 140 constituencies where 883 candidates are in the fray.
The electorate comprises 1.32 crore men, 1.39 crore women and 273 transgender persons, along with over 2.42 lakh overseas voters, underlining the scale of the electoral exercise, according to Election Commission figures.
The contest, though triangular, is rooted in Kerala's traditionally bipolar political landscape, where power has largely alternated between the LDF and the UDF.
The outcome of this election will indicate whether that pattern holds or if the state is headed towards a shift.
After nearly a month of intense campaigning, the southern state will go to the polls in a single phase, with voting to be held from 7 am to 6 pm across all 140 constituencies where 883 candidates are in the fray.
The electorate comprises 1.32 crore men, 1.39 crore women and 273 transgender persons, along with over 2.42 lakh overseas voters, underlining the scale of the electoral exercise, according to Election Commission figures.
The contest, though triangular, is rooted in Kerala's traditionally bipolar political landscape, where power has largely alternated between the LDF and the UDF.
The outcome of this election will indicate whether that pattern holds or if the state is headed towards a shift.
06:50 (IST) Apr 09
Kerala Elections 2026 Live: Choose progress over stagnation, says BJP chief Nitin Nabin
BJP president Nitin Nabin called upon the people of Kerala on Tuesday to choose progress over "stagnation" and ensure a "historic mandate" for the NDA in the upcoming assembly polls.
Nabin also appealed to the people of Assam to cast their votes to "sustain" the "momentum of progress" under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) rule and urged the people of Puducherry to give their mandate to the coalition for yet another term for a "secure, stable and prosperous Puducherry".
Kerala, Assam and Puducherry are set to go to polls on April 9.
"As we conclude the election campaign in Keralam, it is evident that the people are ready to break free from the decades-long stagnation caused by the match-fixing between the LDF and UDF," Nabin said in a post on X.
He said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has presented a "transformative vision" for a "Vikasita Keralam", focussing on world-class healthcare, high-speed rail connectivity and the empowerment of women.
"Grateful to the people and the NDA karyakartas of Keralam for their dedication and trust. On 9th April, your vote will be a decisive step towards shaping a stronger, self-reliant, and prosperous future for Keralam. Let us choose progress over stagnation and ensure a historic mandate for the NDA," the BJP chief said.
Nabin also appealed to the people of Assam to cast their votes to "sustain" the "momentum of progress" under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) rule and urged the people of Puducherry to give their mandate to the coalition for yet another term for a "secure, stable and prosperous Puducherry".
Kerala, Assam and Puducherry are set to go to polls on April 9.
"As we conclude the election campaign in Keralam, it is evident that the people are ready to break free from the decades-long stagnation caused by the match-fixing between the LDF and UDF," Nabin said in a post on X.
He said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has presented a "transformative vision" for a "Vikasita Keralam", focussing on world-class healthcare, high-speed rail connectivity and the empowerment of women.
"Grateful to the people and the NDA karyakartas of Keralam for their dedication and trust. On 9th April, your vote will be a decisive step towards shaping a stronger, self-reliant, and prosperous future for Keralam. Let us choose progress over stagnation and ensure a historic mandate for the NDA," the BJP chief said.
06:49 (IST) Apr 09
Kerala Elections 2026 Live: UDF will get two-thirds majority in Kerala assembly polls: DK Shivakumar
Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday predicted a two-thirds majority for Congress-led UDF in the upcoming Kerala assembly polls, while accusing the ruling LDF of having an "internal understanding" with the BJP.
He also claimed that the people there are fed up with the Left government in Kerala.
"Some of our Ministers, legislators and I have campaigned in Kerala. There is confidence that we (UDF) will secure a two-third majority there. People are fed up with 10 years of LDF rule as there has not been any progress and the state has also suffered financially," Shivakumar said.
Speaking to reporters on returning from Kerala, he claimed that the LDF has an "internal understanding" with the BJP.
Noting that international travel constraints prevent voters abroad from coming to vote, Shivakumar said, "As surveys have shown that they (Keralites staying abroad) will vote for the UDF, no special flight arrangements have been made for them to participate in voting."
Despite these challenges, Congress and the UDF are working together and will win, he said, adding that he participated in 14 campaign events in Kerala.
Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday predicted a two-thirds majority for Congress-led UDF in the upcoming Kerala assembly polls, while accusing the ruling LDF of having an "internal understanding" with the BJP.
He also claimed that the people there are fed up with the Left government in Kerala.
"Some of our Ministers, legislators and I have campaigned in Kerala. There is confidence that we (UDF) will secure a two-third majority there. People are fed up with 10 years of LDF rule as there has not been any progress and the state has also suffered financially," Shivakumar said.
Speaking to reporters on returning from Kerala, he claimed that the LDF has an "internal understanding" with the BJP.
Noting that international travel constraints prevent voters abroad from coming to vote, Shivakumar said, "As surveys have shown that they (Keralites staying abroad) will vote for the UDF, no special flight arrangements have been made for them to participate in voting."
Despite these challenges, Congress and the UDF are working together and will win, he said, adding that he participated in 14 campaign events in Kerala.
06:48 (IST) Apr 09
Kerala Voting 2026 Live: Foreign delegation arrive in Kerala to witness polling process: EC
Kerala assembly elections 2026: A foreign delegation arrived in Kerala on Wednesday to witness the election process ahead of the April 9 assembly polls.
The group arrived in the state capital in the morning and visited various polling booths to observe the electoral procedures, the Election Commission (EC) said.
The delegation arrived as part of the EC's International Election Visitors’ Programme (IEVP) 2026 that was inaugurated a day ago by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
In the first phase, the delegates will visited Assam, Kerala and Puducherry on April 8 and 9 and in the second phase, they will go to West Bengal and Tamil Nadu from April 20 onwards, the EC said.
It said that 43 delegates from 23 countries, including representatives from five foreign Missions in Delhi, will be participating in the first phase of the programme.
The group arrived in the state capital in the morning and visited various polling booths to observe the electoral procedures, the Election Commission (EC) said.
The delegation arrived as part of the EC's International Election Visitors’ Programme (IEVP) 2026 that was inaugurated a day ago by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
In the first phase, the delegates will visited Assam, Kerala and Puducherry on April 8 and 9 and in the second phase, they will go to West Bengal and Tamil Nadu from April 20 onwards, the EC said.
It said that 43 delegates from 23 countries, including representatives from five foreign Missions in Delhi, will be participating in the first phase of the programme.
06:47 (IST) Apr 09
Kerala Elections 2026 Live: Congress levels vote-for-cash allegation in Palakkad; BJP denies
Congress alleged that Sobha Surendran, the BJP candidate of the Palakkad constituency in Kerala, was "caught red-handed distributing" cash to voters ahead of April 9 elections to the state assembly.
Surendran denied the allegations, calling them "fabricated" to defeat her.
She alleged that a local Congress leader and a journalist of a TV channel were behind the allegations, and she would be filing a police case against them.
The BJP leader claimed that a video aired on TV channels, showing some women "offering something" to an elderly woman in her constituency, was wrongly projected by the Congress and the journalist to allege that she offered money for votes.
Visuals aired on TV channels show a woman offering something to the elderly woman, and thereafter, another group goes to her and opens her hand to reveal a small roll of Rs 500 currency notes.
Based on the video, it was alleged that the elderly woman was given money by someone in the BJP candidate's campaign team.
However, the elderly woman denied having received any money, but admitted to having asked for Rs 5,000 for buying medicines.
Surendran denied the allegations, calling them "fabricated" to defeat her.
She alleged that a local Congress leader and a journalist of a TV channel were behind the allegations, and she would be filing a police case against them.
The BJP leader claimed that a video aired on TV channels, showing some women "offering something" to an elderly woman in her constituency, was wrongly projected by the Congress and the journalist to allege that she offered money for votes.
Visuals aired on TV channels show a woman offering something to the elderly woman, and thereafter, another group goes to her and opens her hand to reveal a small roll of Rs 500 currency notes.
Based on the video, it was alleged that the elderly woman was given money by someone in the BJP candidate's campaign team.
However, the elderly woman denied having received any money, but admitted to having asked for Rs 5,000 for buying medicines.
Kerala is set for a high-stakes assembly election on Thursday, with 2.71 crore voters deciding the fate of 140 constituencies. The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) seeks a historic third consecutive term, while the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) aims for a comeback. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is attempting to open its account in the state. Voter demographics include 1.32 crore men, 1.39 crore women, 273 transgender persons, and over 2.42 lakh overseas voters, reflecting the scale of the electoral exercise.
The campaign has been intense and confrontational. In Palakkad, Congress alleged that BJP candidate Sobha Surendran distributed cash to voters. Surendran denied the claim, calling it fabricated and blaming local Congress leaders and a journalist. The incident revolves around visuals showing a woman offering money to an elderly voter, which she later denied receiving.
International observers are monitoring the election process. A foreign delegation, part of the Election Commission’s International Election Visitors’ Programme, visited Kerala polling stations to witness electoral procedures.
Political claims and predictions have dominated discourse. Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar predicted a two-thirds UDF majority, alleging LDF-BJP collusion. BJP president Nitin Nabin urged voters to choose “progress over stagnation,” emphasizing transformative initiatives like high-speed rail and women’s empowerment. Congress leaders, including Ramesh Chennithala, highlighted anti-incumbency sentiment, criticizing LDF’s governance and farmer policies. CPM leader M Swaraj claimed Congress serves as a proxy for BJP when it wins in states.
The campaign has also seen controversies, including Tirur sports minister V Abdurahiman likening his seat to Pakistan, drawing criticism from UDF candidates, and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi alleging LDF obstruction in housing projects for landslide victims.
As Kerala heads to polls, the outcome will test whether the state continues its historic alternating power pattern or witnesses a political shift, with anti-incumbency, local dynamics, and consolidation of votes likely determining results.
The campaign has been intense and confrontational. In Palakkad, Congress alleged that BJP candidate Sobha Surendran distributed cash to voters. Surendran denied the claim, calling it fabricated and blaming local Congress leaders and a journalist. The incident revolves around visuals showing a woman offering money to an elderly voter, which she later denied receiving.
International observers are monitoring the election process. A foreign delegation, part of the Election Commission’s International Election Visitors’ Programme, visited Kerala polling stations to witness electoral procedures.
Political claims and predictions have dominated discourse. Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar predicted a two-thirds UDF majority, alleging LDF-BJP collusion. BJP president Nitin Nabin urged voters to choose “progress over stagnation,” emphasizing transformative initiatives like high-speed rail and women’s empowerment. Congress leaders, including Ramesh Chennithala, highlighted anti-incumbency sentiment, criticizing LDF’s governance and farmer policies. CPM leader M Swaraj claimed Congress serves as a proxy for BJP when it wins in states.
The campaign has also seen controversies, including Tirur sports minister V Abdurahiman likening his seat to Pakistan, drawing criticism from UDF candidates, and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi alleging LDF obstruction in housing projects for landslide victims.
As Kerala heads to polls, the outcome will test whether the state continues its historic alternating power pattern or witnesses a political shift, with anti-incumbency, local dynamics, and consolidation of votes likely determining results.
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