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.
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
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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.
