The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) has reclaimed Kerala in a historic landslide, officially unseating the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and ending its decade-long rule. According to final data from the Election Commission of India (ECI) released on May 4, the UDF secured a massive 102 seats in the 140-member Assembly, well beyond the majority mark of 71.The Congress emerged as the single largest party with 63 seats, supported by the IUML, which bagged 22. In a major shock, the CPI(M)-led LDF was reduced to just 35 seats, with several high-profile ministers losing their contests to an overwhelming anti-incumbency wave.While Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan managed to retain his Dharmadam seat after a technical scare in early rounds, the result signals a decisive return to Kerala’s traditional pattern of alternating power. Notably, the BJP-led NDA also made inroads by securing 3 seats, marking its strongest-ever legislative presence in the state.
Party | Seats Won |
Congress | 63 |
Communist Party of India (Marxist) - CPI(M) | 26 |
Indian Union Muslim League - IUML | 22 |
Communist Party of India - CPI | 8 |
Kerala Congress - KEC | 7 |
Revolutionary Socialist Party - RSP | 3 |
Bharatiya Janata Party - BJP | 3 |
Rashtriya Janata Dal - RJD | 1 |
Revolutionary Marxist Party of India - RMPOI | 1 |
Kerala Congress (Jacob) - KEC(J) | 1 |
Communist Marxist Party Kerala State Committee - CMPKSC | 1 |
Independent - IND | 4 |
Total | 140 |
The political tide in Kerala has shifted dramatically today, May 4, as the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) heads toward a thumping victory in the 2026 Assembly elections. According to the latest Election Commission of India (ECI) trends, the UDF has surged past the halfway mark, leading in 99 of the 140 seats, while the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) trails significantly with leads in just 40 constituencies. The state, which broke its four-decade tradition of alternating power in 2021, appears to have returned to form by rejecting a third term for Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Meanwhile, the BJP-led NDA is struggling to make an impact, holding leads in only one or two seats. With the UDF already crossing the 71-seat majority mark in early trends, jubilant celebrations have erupted at the KPCC headquarters, signaling a decisive mandate for the opposition after a decade in the wilderness.
The Congress-led UDF has crossed the majority mark in Kerala, as per initial trends. Out of 140 seats, the UDF has secured lead in 81 - 11 more than the halfway mark of 70. The ruling LDF is ahead in 35 constituencies. The BJP seems making big gains as its candidates are leading in at least 10 seats. Keralam doesn't have a single MLA from the BJP as of now.
The Congress-led UDF has touched the majority mark of 71 seats in initial trends in Kerala, according to reports. The ruling LDF is ahead in 64 constituencies. The Keralam Legislative Assembly has 140 seats.
Initial trends show that the ruling LDF and its rival UDF are positioned neck-and-neck. The LDF is leading in 61 seats, whereas the UDF is ahead in 64 constituencies, as per news channel reports.
Amid counting of postal ballots, TV reports say that the LDF has secured lead in 45 seats. The Congress-led UDF is ahead in 32 constituencies, according to initial trends. These are trends. Readers must wait for the final numbers.
Counting for the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections officially began at 8 AM on Monday, May 4, marking the climax of a high-stakes battle between the incumbent Left Democratic Front (LDF), the United Democratic Front (UDF), and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Following the single-phase polling held on April 9, which saw a robust voter turnout of 78.27%, early trends are expected to emerge from the 140 counting centers across the state by 9 AM. While Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the LDF seek a historic third consecutive term, several exit polls have projected a significant comeback for the Congress-led UDF, suggesting they could secure between 72 and 90 seats.
Who will the 2026 Kerala Legislative Assembly elections? The stage is set for a high-stakes showdown in Keralam as the counting of votes is scheduled to begin at 8 AM today, May 4, 2026. Following a robust voter turnout of approximately 79.7% during the single-phase polling on April 9, all eyes are on whether the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) can secure a historic third consecutive term or if the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) will reclaim its traditional power in the state’s alternating political cycle.
Counting of votes for the high-stakes Kerala Assembly elections 2026 is set to begin at 8 AM today, Monday, May 4, 2026, nearly a month after the state voted in a single phase. The process will start with postal ballots, followed by the counting of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) across all 140 constituencies. Early trends are expected within a few hours, with final results likely by the afternoon or evening, determining whether the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) retains power or the United Democratic Front (UDF) stages a comeback. Catch live news updates on the Kerala election result 2026, party-wise seat numbers and winners' list with LatestLY here.
The election, held on April 9 alongside polls in Assam and Puducherry, has drawn significant attention due to indications of a closely contested race. With the majority mark set at 71 seats, both the LDF and the Congress-led UDF are vying for control in what could mark a shift in Kerala’s political landscape. Kerala Election Result 2026 Live Streaming on ABP News, Aaj Tak, India Today and NDTV.
Kerala Election Result 2026: Security Tightened Across Counting Centres
Authorities have put extensive security measures in place to ensure a smooth counting process. The state police, supported by central forces, have established multi-layered security arrangements at all counting centres.
Officials confirmed that 25 companies of central forces have been deployed to guard counting locations, while the Kerala Police is managing outer perimeter security. Surveillance has been intensified with CCTV coverage and drone monitoring across sensitive areas. The entire police force has been mobilised as a precautionary measure to prevent any disruptions during the counting process. Tamil Nadu Election Result 2026 Live News Updates.
Exit Polls Indicated Close Contest, Edge to Congress-led UDF
Exit polls released ahead of counting suggest a competitive race, with most projections indicating a possible advantage for the UDF. According to multiple surveys, the UDF is expected to cross the majority mark, with estimates ranging between 70 and 90 seats. The ruling LDF is projected to secure between 49 and 68 seats, while the BJP-led NDA is likely to remain on the margins with minimal representation.
Some projections point to regional variations, with the UDF leading in North Kerala, while Central and South Kerala remain tightly contested.
LDF’s Bid for Continuity
The 2026 election is a crucial test for the incumbent LDF government led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. In the 2021 Assembly elections, the LDF secured a decisive victory with 99 seats, becoming the first ruling alliance in decades to win consecutive terms in the state.
The UDF, which won 41 seats in 2021, is aiming to return to power after nearly ten years, having last governed Kerala from 2011 to 2016.
This election cycle has been influenced by a mix of governance issues, welfare policies, economic concerns, and voter demographics. Exit poll data suggests variations in voter preferences across gender and regions, with male voters showing a tilt towards the UDF, while women voters appear more evenly split.
Leadership preference remains another key factor, with Pinarayi Vijayan retaining a strong presence, though opposition leaders have also gained traction during the campaign.
With counting underway, attention will focus on early trends from key constituencies that could signal the broader outcome. A clear lead by either alliance by mid-day may indicate the final direction of results.
As counting progresses, official confirmations of winners will determine whether Kerala continues under LDF leadership or witnesses a political shift with a UDF return to power. Updates are expected throughout the day as the Election Commission releases constituency-wise results.
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