Congress-led UDF Sweeps Kerala Assembly Elections, Ending LDF's 10-Year Rule

Key facts

• Counting of votes for all 140 Assembly constituencies began at 8:00 am on May 4 at 140 centres across 43 locations.
• Postal ballots accounted for 1.36% of total votes polled and were tallied first.
• Congress leader KC Venugopal declared the UDF victory a rejection of '10 years of misrule' by the CPI(M)-led LDF government.
• BJP won three seats: Nemom, Kazhakoottam, and Chathannoor.
• IUML's Manjalamkuzhi Ali won the Mankada seat with 110,692 votes.
• The Dispur constituency had 243,176 eligible voters in the final 2026 electoral roll, up from 242,031 in 2024.

UDF Surges to Victory as Counting Unfolds

The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) has swept the Kerala Assembly elections, with early counting trends showing a commanding lead over the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The outcome marks a historic comeback for the UDF, which had been out of power for a decade. Counting of votes cast in the April 9 polls commenced at 8:00 am on Monday at 140 centres spread across 43 locations across the state. Strongrooms housing electronic voting machines were opened at around 6:30 am in the presence of Election Commission observers, security personnel, and candidate representatives. Initial trends immediately showed the UDF taking the lead, a position it held as the day progressed. The counting process began with the tallying of postal ballots, which constituted 1.36% of the total votes cast.

Venugopal Declares Verdict Against 'Arrogance and Corruption'

AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal addressed a press conference as counting neared completion, declaring the UDF's sweeping victory a clear verdict against the 'arrogance, corruption, and nepotism' of the CPI(M)-led LDF government headed by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Venugopal claimed that the outcome reflected public anger against what he termed '10 years of misrule' by the Left government. He specifically targeted Vijayan's performance in his home constituency of Dharmadam, alleging that the chief minister trailed the UDF candidate in initial counting rounds and failed to secure a majority in his own village. 'He just escaped. He suffered a setback even in his home turf. He was the only person who did not realise the people's mood in this election,' Venugopal said.

BJP Opens Account with Three Seats

The BJP-led NDA managed to secure three seats in the state: Nemom, Kazhakoottam, and Chathannoor. Celebrations erupted at the BJP office in Thiruvananthapuram as the party registered these wins. In Manjeshwar, UDF candidate AKM Ashraf defeated BJP's K Surendran, denying the BJP a potential fourth seat. The IUML's Manjalamkuzhi Ali won the Mankada seat with 110,692 votes, underscoring the UDF's strength in Muslim-majority areas. The triangular contest among the LDF, UDF, and NDA reshaped the voter base, with the Dispur constituency seeing 243,176 eligible voters in the final 2026 electoral roll after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), a small increase from 242,031 in 2024.

High-Stakes Contest Ends with Decisive Shift

The intense and high-stakes contest among the three alliances concluded with a decisive shift in power. The outcome is significant for all three alliances as they look to strengthen their presence in Kerala's changing political landscape. For the LDF, the loss ends a decade-long hold on power under Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. For the UDF, the victory represents a historic comeback and a mandate for change. The BJP, while limited to three seats, has established a foothold in the state. The Election Commission oversaw the counting process, with officials ensuring accuracy. In case of discrepancies, the commission will conduct a thorough review and recount if necessary, following established protocols.

What Comes Next: Swearing-In and New Government

Newly elected representatives will typically take office following the completion of the election process and any required swearing-in ceremonies. The exact date for the swearing-in has not been announced. The UDF will now form the next government in Kerala, ending the LDF's 10-year rule. The party's leadership will likely choose a chief ministerial candidate in the coming days. For the voters, the results can be verified on the official Election Commission website or through reputable news sources. The Voter Helpline at 1950 and the Voter Helpline App remain available for any queries.

The bottom line

• The Congress-led UDF won a decisive majority in the 140-seat Kerala Assembly, ending the LDF's 10-year rule.
• KC Venugopal attributed the victory to public anger against corruption and nepotism under Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
• The BJP won three seats—Nemom, Kazhakoottam, and Chathannoor—marking its presence in the state.
• Counting of postal ballots (1.36% of total votes) preceded the tallying of EVM votes.
• The Dispur constituency saw a slight increase in voter registration, from 242,031 in 2024 to 243,176 in 2026.
• The UDF's victory sets the stage for a new government, with swearing-in ceremonies expected soon.