Kerala Assembly Election 2026 Results: Left Democratic Front Takes Early Lead
The counting of votes for the Kerala Assembly elections 2026 is underway, with the Left Democratic Front (LDF) establishing a comfortable lead over the United Democratic Front (UDF) in early trends. As of the latest updates, the LDF is leading in 60 seats, while the UDF is ahead in 50 seats. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is leading in five constituencies.
Pinarayi Vijayan Poised for Historic Third Term
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who is contesting from the Dharmadam constituency, is leading by a significant margin. If the trend continues, Vijayan will become the first Kerala Chief Minister to win three consecutive terms. The LDF's performance has been particularly strong in northern Kerala, with leads in key constituencies like Kannur, Kasaragod, and Palakkad.
UDF Faces Setbacks in Traditional Strongholds
The Congress-led UDF, which hoped to unseat the LDF, is trailing in several traditional strongholds. Key UDF leaders, including Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan, are leading in their respective constituencies, but the overall trend favors the LDF. The UDF has managed to maintain leads in central Kerala districts like Kottayam and Idukki.
NDA Makes Minor Gains
The BJP-led NDA, which has historically struggled in Kerala, is leading in five seats, including Nemom and Thrissur. This marks a slight improvement from the 2021 elections, where the NDA won only two seats. However, the alliance is far from posing a serious challenge to the LDF or UDF.
Key Constituencies to Watch
Several high-profile constituencies are witnessing close contests. In Thiruvananthapuram, the sitting LDF MLA is locked in a tight battle with a UDF candidate. In Kozhikode, the UDF candidate is leading by a narrow margin. The final results are expected by evening, with the Election Commission set to announce the official tally.
Voter Turnout and Peaceful Conduct
The Election Commission reported a voter turnout of 74.5% across the state, with polling conducted peacefully on March 20. No major incidents of violence were reported, though there were minor complaints of malfunctioning EVMs in a few booths. The Commission assured that all issues were resolved promptly.
As the counting progresses, all eyes are on whether the LDF can surpass the majority mark of 70 seats in the 140-member assembly. The final outcome will determine the political landscape of Kerala for the next five years.
