The Election Commission of India (ECI) has officially set the stage for the 2026 Kerala Legislative Assembly elections. In a highly anticipated announcement today, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar revealed that polling for all 140 constituencies in Kerala will take place in a single phase on April 9, 2026. The counting of votes is scheduled for May 4, along with other poll-bound states.

A Historic Battle for Power The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF), led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, is aiming for an unprecedented third consecutive term. After breaking the four-decade-old tradition of alternating power in 2021, the CPI(M)-led coalition is banking on its infrastructure development and social welfare schemes.

On the other hand, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) is treating this as a “do-or-die” battle. Having sat in the opposition for ten years, the UDF is determined to capitalize on anti-incumbency and issues like public debt and unemployment. Meanwhile, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is making a massive push to transition from a marginal player to a significant force in the Kerala Niyamasabha.

Key Election Dates: * Notification Date: March 16, 2026

• Last Date for Nominations: March 23, 2026
• Polling Date: April 9, 2026
• Result Date: May 4, 2026