Published Apr 09, 2026 | 6:49 AM ⚊ Updated Apr 09, 2026 | 8:49 AM
Voters at Meppadi Government High School, Wayanad
Ever since the Election Commission declared the date of the Kerala Assembly elections, the state has been witnessing high-stakes poll campaigning by all three major fronts — the LDF, the UDF and the NDA.
As Pinarayi Vijayan completes 10 years in office, the time has come for Kerala to decide whether to give him — and the LDF — a third chance, whether to bring back the Congress-led UDF to power or to choose the BJP-led NDA for the first time.
Voters in Kerala will be at the polling booths across 140 constituencies in 14 districts starting from 7 am on Thursday, 9 April. The voting will continue till 7 pm. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has said that all those present in queues till 7 pm will be allowed to vote.
According to the final electoral roll published by the ECI, Kerala has a total of 2,71,42,952 registered voters. The list has recorded 1,39,21,868 female voters, 1,32,20,811 male voters. 273 people have been recorded as third gender.
The roll also includes 2,43,698 Persons with Disabilities (PwD).
For the elections, LDF has fielded several high-profile candidates, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, several ministers of the state Cabinet and former ministers, including former health minister KK Shailaja.
From the UDF, major names include Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly VD Satheesan, KPCC President Sunny Joseph, former home minister Ramesh Chennithala, and IUML leaders, including PK Kunhalikutty, KM Shaji and others.
The NDA has fielded major names like BJP’s State President Rajeev Chandrasekhar, former state president K Surendran, Sobha Surendran and former Union Minister V Muraleedharan.
Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the Kerala state president of the BJP, on Thursday urged voters across Kerala to actively participate in the electoral process, calling voting both a right and an opportunity.
After casting his vote in Nemom, Chandrasekhar, who is contesting from there, told reporters that the party remains optimistic about the outcome, expressing confidence that the electorate would back the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance and its vision of a “Vikasitha Keralam” (Developed Kerala).
“We have presented our case before the people. Let them decide,” he said, adding that the NDA candidates possess a strong “winnability factor” across constituencies.
Striking a contrast in political approach, Chandrasekhar said the alliance is seeking a mandate focused on development rather than “disruption or vandalisation” in the Assembly. He reiterated hope that the current election would usher in a change in the state’s political landscape.
He cast his vote at Jawahar Nagar LPS, Kowdiar (booth number 110).
Polling is underway across all constituencies, with voters turning out in large numbers.
Rajeev Chandrasekhar cast his vote in Nemom.
MA Razak Master, the IUML candidate in the Kunnamangalam constituency, Kozhikode, cast his vote at Booth No. 143 at Elettil MJ HSS.
Kurukkoli Moideen cast his vote at Booth No. 12 at Islahul Wildan Madrasa. He is contesting from the Tirur Assembly constituency as an IUML candidate.
Done my part.
Your turn, Keralam go vote! pic.twitter.com/zZNJdhdKQC— Mohanlal (@Mohanlal) April 9, 2026
Long queue of voters at Cheruvachery Government LP School, Kannur.
Minister Ramachandran Kadanapally casting his vote at booth number 51 at Cheruvachery Government LP School, Kannur.
Actor Mohanlal, LDF candidate V Sivankutty and UDF candidate KS Sabarinathan cast their votes in the Nemom Assembly constituency.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan cast his vote on Thursday at the R C Amala Basic UP School in Pinarayi, describing the ongoing election as “crucial” for Kerala’s future.
Speaking to media persons after voting, the Chief Minister stressed the need for continuity in development, asserting that the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) should return to power. He expressed confidence that the LDF would improve its electoral performance compared to previous elections.
“We came to power in 2016 with 91 seats and bettered it in 2021 with 99 seats. This time, it will be bettered further,” Vijayan said.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan cast his vote.
Rony K Baby, the UDF candidate in the Kanjirappally Assembly constituency in Kottayam, cast his vote at Booth No. 23 at Aanakkallu Government LP School
Karayi Rajan, the LDF candidate in the Thalassery Assembly constituency, cast his vote at Booth No. 32 in Pullyod Government LP School, Kannur
G Sukumaran Nair, General Secretary of the Nair Service Society (NSS), on Thursday struck a measured and non-committal tone on the ongoing elections, stating that there is “no need for a change of government” and that “whoever wins, let them come.”
Speaking to reporters after casting his vote at St Teresa’s School in Vazhappally, Changanassery, he said there was “no particular trend” visible in the elections so far and emphasised that “let democracy win.”
On sensitive issues, Sukumaran Nair refrained from elaborating, remarking that there was “nothing to say” about the Sabarimala Temple issue at this juncture.
However, he took a firm stand on the Sabarimala gold missing case, stating that “those involved in gold theft cases should be punished.”
His remarks come at a time when political observers are closely watching signals from influential community leaders in Kerala, even as the electoral contest remains keenly balanced.
G Sukumaran Nair casting his vote.
Union Minister of State Suresh Gopi reached the polling booth at Guruvayur Devaswom English Medium School to cast his vote in the Guruvayur Assembly constituency in Thrissur.
Suresh Gopi at the polling booth in Guruvayur.
Voters waiting patiently to cast their votes at RC Amala Basic UP School, Pinarayi, Kannur, on Thursday morning
VD Satheesan, the Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, cast his vote at Kesari Government Arts and Science College in North Paravoor on Thursday morning, urging citizens to actively participate in the democratic process.
VD Satheesan speaking to the media.
Speaking to reporters after voting, Satheesan emphasised the importance of voter turnout, noting that “everyone must become part of the electoral process” and that no one should refrain from exercising their franchise. He described the long queues witnessed at polling booths across the state as a “healthy sign” of democratic engagement.
Expressing strong confidence in the prospects of the United Democratic Front (UDF), Satheesan said the alliance is poised for a decisive comeback. “We are confident of returning to power with more than 100 seats,” he stated, adding that both internal assessments and multiple opinion polls indicate a favourable outcome.
Highlighting Kerala’s politically aware electorate, he remarked that voters in the state are “highly literate in political matters” and will make informed choices at the ballot box.
Polling is underway across Kerala’s 140 Assembly constituencies, with a large number of voters turning up early in the day, reflecting the state’s robust democratic spirit.
"I call upon the people of Kerala to ensure massive participation in voting in the 2026 Assembly elections. Record participation will infuse energy into Kerala's democratic ethos. I particularly request the youth and women of the state to come forward and register their votes," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on X in Malayalam.
2026 ലെ നിയമസഭാ തെരഞ്ഞെടുപ്പിൽ വോട്ട് ചെയ്യുന്നതിൽ വൻ പങ്കാളിത്തം ഉറപ്പാക്കാൻ കേരളത്തിലെ ജനങ്ങളോട് ആഹ്വാനം ചെയ്യുന്നു. റെക്കോർഡ് പങ്കാളിത്തം കേരളത്തിന്റെ ജനാധിപത്യ മനോഭാവത്തിന് ഊർജ്ജം പകരും. പ്രത്യേകിച്ച് സംസ്ഥാനത്തിലെ യുവജനങ്ങളും സ്ത്രീകളും വോട്ട് രേഖപ്പെടുത്താൻ മുന്നോട്ട്…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 9, 2026
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will cast his vote at Pinarayi School in Dharmadam, Kannur, while Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly VD Satheesan will vote at Kesari Balakrishna Pillai Memorial College, North Paravoor, Ernakulam.
Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar is scheduled to vote at Jawahar Nagar LP School at 10 am.
Among senior Congress leaders, KC Venugopal will vote at Thiruvambady Higher Secondary School in Alappuzha at 8.30 am, Sunny Joseph at St. John Baptist English Medium High School in Kadathumkadavu at 7 am and Ramesh Chennithala, along with his family, at Mannarasala UP School at 9 am.
SNDP's Vellappally Natesan and his wife Preethi Natesan will vote at Kanichukulangara Devaswom Higher Secondary School at 2.30 pm, while Tushar Vellappally will cast his vote at Kanichukulangara School at 8 am.
On the BJP side, Rajeev Chandrasekhar will vote at Jawahar Nagar LPS at 7 am, V Muraleedharan at Ulloor Kottaram booth at 7.30 am and Kummanam Rajasekharan at Fort School.
Former chief minister AK Antony and former KPCC chief MM Hassan will cast their votes at Jagathy UPS in Thiruvananthapuram at 10.30 am.
As the clock ticked down to polling day, mock polling across Kerala’s booths entered its final stages, marking a crucial checkpoint before voting officially began at 7 am.
At each polling station, officials conduct a standard mock poll involving 50 test votes to ensure the smooth functioning and accuracy of the voting machines.
Once these votes are cast, they are carefully counted and tallied in the presence of polling personnel and representatives of various political parties. Party agents closely observe the process, verifying that each vote has been correctly recorded.
After the verification is completed and all stakeholders are satisfied, the voting machines are reset to clear the mock data. This step ensures that the system starts afresh, with no prior entries carried forward.
With the mock polling process nearing completion across constituencies, election officials say the groundwork is firmly in place.
Once the reset is done, only the votes cast by actual voters from 7 a.m. onwards will be recorded, setting the stage for a decisive day in Kerala’s electoral process.
Voting for bypolls to two Assembly constituencies in Karnataka — Bagalkot and Davanagere South — will also be held on Thursday.
The polls were necessitated by the deaths of senior Congress MLAs HY Meti and Shamanur Shivashankarappa in their respective constituencies.
In Bagalkot, a total of over 2.59 lakh eligible voters are expected to cast their votes at around 319 polling stations, with nine candidates in the fray.
In Davanagere South, over 2.31 lakh eligible voters are expected to vote across 284 polling stations, with 25 candidates contesting.
The first incident of violence on polling day was reported from Kannur, where 771 booths have been marked as sensitive.
A BJP booth agent was seriously injured in an alleged stone-pelting incident at Maloor in Mattannur, Kannur, early in the morning.
The injured, Manoli Shaiju, was returning after completing formalities related to his appointment as a booth agent at Kunderipoyil LP School when the attack allegedly took place.
According to the complaint, CPI(M) workers threw stones at him, causing a head injury. He was later admitted to Thalassery General Hospital for treatment.
Responding to the incident, the NDA candidate from Thalassery said voters should realise the violent politics behind such attacks.
The incident occurred on polling day amid tense political conditions in the area.
The Chief Electoral Officer-Kerala stated that Kerala has recorded an impressive turnout among special voter categories, with extensive arrangements ensuring that those on duty and vulnerable voters could exercise their franchise smoothly.
Through Voter Facilitation Centres (VFCs) and Postal Voting Centres, polling personnel and essential service workers were enabled to vote efficiently, the office stated.
As of 5 pm on 7 April, 1,10,994 officers had cast their votes via Form 12 across 154 VFCs, operational in all constituencies, along with 14 additional centres since 31 March.
Home voting saw remarkable participation. Among 1,45,598 senior citizens eligible under AVSC, 1,40,177 (96.25%) have already voted.
Similarly, 60,705 out of 62,159 differently-abled voters (97.66%) under the AVPD category exercised their vote. This was facilitated by a dedicated team of 2,500 personnel who have been working since 30 March.
In the essential services (AVES) category, 32,113 out of 34,140 voters (94.06%) cast their ballots. Notably, over 95 percent of police personnel participated, contributing to more than 35,000 votes from the force.
Fourteen essential departments, including police, fire force, railways, and media services, were covered under this system.
Chief Electoral Officer Dr Ratan U Kelkar stated that all eligible election staff were provided adequate facilities to ensure their voting rights were fully exercised.
Polling in Kerala begins at 7 am and ends at 6 pm on Thursday, with voters already in the queue at closing time allowed to cast their ballots. All 140 Assembly constituencies are voting, with nearly 2.71 crore voters deciding the fate of 883 candidates across 30,495 polling booths.
Authorities have deployed around 1.46 lakh polling staff and 76,000 security personnel to ensure peaceful voting.
CEO Rathan U Kelkar said special focus has been given to inclusive polling, with 352 booths run entirely by women and 37 managed by persons with disabilities.
The ruling LDF, which currently holds 99 seats is seeking a rare third straight term, highlighting its welfare schemes and governance record. The UDF with 41 seats is hoping to return to power by capitalising on anti-incumbency sentiments and local issues. The NDA is aiming to strengthen its presence in the state, especially in constituencies where it believes support has grown.
The people of Kerala is set to decide who should govern the state for the next five years. Polling is also taking place in Assam and Puducherry.
Voters can check their polling booth details on the Election Commission website, [electoralsearch.eci.gov.in](https://electoralsearch.eci.gov.in/) by entering the 10-digit EPIC number from their voter ID card and selecting Kerala as the state before filling in the captcha.
Those who do not know their EPIC number can still find their polling booth by entering their mobile number.
Booth details can also be searched using district, constituency, name and age. The Election Commission portal also allows voters to search their names in the electoral roll and find their polling station details.
The most sensitive polling booths in the state are in Kannur with 771 booths, followed by Kozhikode with 312, Kasaragod with 238, Thiruvananthapuram with 212, Kollam with 189 and Wayanad with 69.
As high temperatures are expected during the day, voters are advised to wear a hat and carry an umbrella if they have to walk to the polling station. It is better to avoid direct exposure to the sun between 11 am and 3 pm.
Under the Vote Sweetened Kerala campaign, halwa is being distributed to first-time voters at selected polling booths. Around 200 halwa packets have been sent to each DEO office. There are 4,66,408 first-time voters in the state.
