Kerala Election Results 2026: UDF dominates Kerala with 98 seats, LDF secures 35 seats

Pinarayi Vijayan has resigned as Kerala Chief Minister following the election results.

CPI(M) Polit Bureau issued an official statement that read, "The CPI(M) will introspect on the reasons that led to the defeat of the LDF in Keralam and assure that the Party will take all corrective measures."

The imminent defeat of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala has Left parties without a single state government for the first time in nearly five decades, underscoring a broader national decline.

Thirteen members of the 21-member LDF Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, were defeated in the Kerala Assembly elections as the ruling front suffered a major setback across the state.

Samarth Shamanur Mallikarjuna of the Indian National Congress won the Davanagere South bypolls by defeating Shrinivasa T Dasakariyappa of the Bharatiya Janata Party with a margin of 5708 votes.

Hailing the Congress-led UDF's victory in Kerala as "historic", senior leader Sachin Pilot on Monday asserted that there would be no issues in deciding the chief ministerial nominee as the party leadership would take the final call after consulting all stakeholders and that would be acceptable to all.

On UDF securing lead in Kerala elections, Congress leader K Sudhakaran says, "Unexpected! We had discussed among ourselves that we would see change, but we had not thought it would be like this."

Congress-led UDF is poised for a return to the ruling saddle in Kerala after a 10-year stint in opposition. Pollsters had earlier predicted a UDF return by dethroning the 10-year-old LDF, led by the CPI (M).

BJP candidate BB Gopakumar wins the Chathannoor constituency in Kerala by defeating Communist Party of India's (CPI) Advocate R Rajendran with a margin of 4,398 votes.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said the Congress had largely met or exceeded expectations in several States, even as results in some regions reflected shifting voter sentiments.

The Kerala election is being closely watched as a high-stakes contest between the ruling LDF, which is seeking a rare third consecutive term, and the UDF, which is aiming to return to power after nearly a decade.

Kallatra Mahin of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has won the Kasaragod Assembly constituency in Kerala by a 22,698-vote margin. After 16 rounds of counting, Mahin secured a total of 76,396 votes, winning by a substantial margin of 22,698 votes.

Transport Minister and actor K B Ganesh Kumar, who remained undefeated for over two-and-a-half decades in electoral politics, is on the verge of defeat in the Pathanapuram constituency as counting of votes in the Kerala Assembly elections enters the final stages, according to EC figures.

The Congress has won 11 out of 22 seats where counting of votes has concluded. While the Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPI(M) has won 5 seats, the Communist Party of India (CPI) has won 2 seats. Kerala Congress has won two seats. 

Communist Party of India (Marxist) candidates P Mammikutty, TM Sasi and UR Pradeep has won Shornur, Alathur and Chelakkara Assembly seats respectively in Kerala.

Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, Aryadan Shoukath, Rajan J Pallan, Adv OJ Janeesh, Adv Senapthy Venu, Adv Chandy Oommen, Ramesh Chennithala and Adv Bindhu Krishna win from Nilambur, Thrissur, Kodungallur, Udumbanchola, Puthupally, Haripad, and Kollam respectively.

IUML, which is putting up a strong performance in the Kerala Assembly elections, on Monday credited the UDF's teamwork for the alliance's resounding showing. The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) is leading in 23 of the 27 seats it contested in the Assembly polls.

The Congress in Kerala on Monday thanked the people of the state for what it termed a "thumping victory", as trends in the April 9 Assembly polls indicated a decisive edge for the UDF.

Congress-led UDF workers broke into euphoric celebrations on Monday as early trends in the April 9 Assembly polls pointed to the front's emphatic return to power in Kerala after a decade.

The trends indicate setbacks for the ruling front, with at least a dozen ministers trailing in their respective constituencies. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was behind in Dharmadam, his traditional stronghold in Kannur district, in the initial rounds.

Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar said the party will wait for the election results before making any formal comments, while asserting confidence that voters will reject what he termed as the "divisive and corrupt politics" of the opposition.

As counting of votes for the Kerala Assembly elections 2026 progressed on Monday, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) MP K Suresh claimed they had crossed the majority mark and reiterated confidence in a decisive victory for the UDF.

Chief Minister and Communist Party of India (Marxist)candidate Pinarayi Vijayan is trailing in the Dharmadam Assembly constituency. Congress candidate VP Abdul Rasheed is leading by 2,812 votes.

According trends by Election Commission, UDF is leading in 86 seats and LDF in 46 seats.

UDF: 86
Congress: 55
IUML: 20
KEC: 5
RSP: 3
Independents: 2
RMPI: 1
CMP: 1
Kerala Congress (J): 1

LDF: 46
CPI-M: 30
CPI: 11
KCM: 3
Independents: 1
RJD: 1

NDA: 3
BJP: 3

At least 12 ministers in the CPI(M)-led LDF cabinet were trailing on Monday with the counting of votes polled in the April 9 Assembly elections progressing across the state. Veena George, M B Rajesh, O R Kelu, R Bindhu, J Chinchurani, P Rajeev, K B Ganesh Kumar, V N Vasavan, V Sivankutty, V Abdurahiman, A K Saseendran and Roshy Augustine were trailing in their respective constituencies.

Ministers Veena George, M B Rajesh, O R Kelu, R Bindhu, J Chinchurani, P Rajeev, K B Ganesh Kumar, and Roshy Augustine were trailing in their respective constituencies in the first hour of counting.

UDF has taken a decisive lead in early trends. This could be a setback for the LDF, led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, which is seeking a rare consecutive third term after its historic win in 2021.

LDF - Leading in 38 seats
UDF - Leading in 62 seats
BJP - Leading in  5 seats

Exit polls have largely projected an advantage for the Congress-led UDF, predicting between 72 and 90 seats in the 140-member Assembly, while the LDF is expected to secure 49 to 62 seats.

LDF - Leading in 41 seats
UDF - Leading in 41 seats
BJP - Leading in  5 seats 

Left Democratic Front (LDF) has taken an early lead in Kerala. A total of 15,465 counting personnel have been deployed for the exercise, while 32,301 police personnel, including 20 companies of Central Armed Police Forces, have been deployed for security at counting centres. 

LDF - Leading in 42 seats
UDF - Leading in 36 seats
BJP - Leading in  4 seats

The state recorded a voter turnout of 78.27 per cent in the single-phase polling held on April 9. 

LDF - Leading in 33 seats
UDF - Leading in 33 seats
BJP - Leading in  4 seats

A neck-and-neck fight is being witnessed between the Congress-led coalition United Democratic Front (UDF)in Kerala.

LDF - Leading in 30 seats
UDF - Leading in 31 seats
BJP - Leading in  2 seats

The Congress-led coalition United Democratic Front (UDF) has now taken a lead over the ruling LDF in Kerala.

LDF - Leading in 16 seats
UDF - Leading in 25 seats
BJP - Leading in  4 seats

A broad picture of the election outcome is expected by the afternoon. The results are crucial for all three fronts as they seek to strengthen their position in the state's evolving political landscape.

CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) is leading in early trends. Left Democratic Front (LDF) won 99 of the 140 seats in 2021.

LDF - Leading in 17 seats
UDF - Leading in 14 seats
BJP - Leading in  2 seats

Jalebis are being prepared at the BJP Headquarters in Delhi as counting of votes for the elections to the Assemblies of Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry begins.   

Early trends show the BJP leading in 2 seats. 

LDF - Leading in 13 seats
UDF - Leading in 7 seats
BJP - Leading in  2 seats

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.