Kerala Election Results 2026 Live Updates: Counting of votes begins amid tight security

Kerala Congress President Sunny Joseph on Monday exuded confidence of a decisive victory for the United Democratic Front (UDF) as counting for the Keralam Assembly Elections 2026 is set to begin shortly across the state.

Counting of votes has begun. Postal ballots, which account for 1.36 per cent of the total votes polled, are being counted first. Special counting tables have been arranged for postal ballots, with each table handling up to 500 votes under the supervision of an assistant returning officer.

"In my constituency, I hope that I can win the election because I have full confidence in the people. I worked for the people for the last 10 years, and it will reflect in the election... 100% UDF will come..," Congress candidate from Kovalam Assembly constituency, M Vincent said.

Strong room opened at St. Joseph School, Alappuzha. The counting of votes will begin at 8 am. Security arrangements have been put in place, with 25 companies of central forces deployed alongside state police personnel to guard the counting centres.

Visuals from outside the residence of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan as the counting for all 140 Assembly constituencies in the state is to begin at 8 am today.

Postal ballots, which account for 1.36 per cent of the total votes polled, will be counted first. Special counting tables have been arranged for postal ballots, with each table handling up to 500 votes under the supervision of an assistant returning officer.

“We are very confident. As far as the LDF is concerned, we are expecting a remarkable victory. We are waiting for the results. I do not want to mention any specific numbers or make predictions, but I believe we will come back to power again,” said CPI (M) MP AA Rahim.

Tight security arrangements have been made for the counting of votes at all 140 Assembly constituencies in Kerala. The counting will begin at 8 am today. Visuals from the counting centre at Mar Ivanios College campus, where votes for all constituencies in Thiruvananthapuram district will be counted today. 

Congress General Secretary (Organisation) and MP KC Venugopal is expected to leave for the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee office shortly. Ahead of that, here are some visuals from outside his residence in Thiruvananthapuram. 

Visuals from a counting centre set up at UC College in Aluva, Kochi. The counting of seats for the 140 Assembly seats will begin at 8 am. Polling was held on April 9. Kerala's voter turnout in the April 9 Assembly elections has tentatively risen to 79.70 per cent after the inclusion of service voters' postal ballots.

"In the elections to the Kerala Assembly, BJP presented before the people the need for a change and presenting the 12 years of PM Narendra Modi's Govt, the politics of performance at the national level and compared to the 10 years of Left Govt now and the earlier years the alternate terms that both Govts had, and the situation of Kerala," said BJP candidate from Kazahakootam, V Muraleedharan, ahead of counting.

The office of the Chief Electoral Officer has confirmed that all preparations for counting have been completed. Counting will begin at 8 am on Monday across 140 centres spread over 43 locations in the state.

Kerala recorded a voter turnout of 79.63 per cent, with 2,71,42,952 electors casting their votes across 140 Assembly constituencies. A total of 883 candidates were in the fray, making it one of the most competitive electoral contests in recent years.

Kerala’s political fate will be decided on Monday as counting of votes begins for the April 9 Assembly elections, marking the end of a closely fought and high stakes contest between the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF), the Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) and the BJP led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

The outcome is being closely watched as all 3 fronts seek to either retain power, return to government or expand their political footprint in the state’s evolving electoral landscape.