Kerala will go to the polls in a single phase.
Also Read: West Bengal election date 2026: Bengal to vote in two phases on April 23, 29; counting on May 4
The last date for filing nominations is March 23, 2026, with scrutiny of nomination papers scheduled for March 24. The final date for withdrawal of candidature is March 26, 2026.
Also Read: Assam Election Date 2026: Assam to vote on April 9; results on May 4
Kerala Political Alliances: Key Blocs
Three major alliances dominate the political landscape in Kerala.
Left Democratic Front (LDF)
The LDF is a coalition of centre-left to left-wing parties led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist). The alliance also includes the Communist Party of India and several smaller parties. The LDF currently governs the state following its victory in the 2021 Assembly elections.
United Democratic Front (UDF)
The UDF is an alliance of centrist and centre-left parties led by the Indian National Congress. The front was formed in 1978 by senior Congress leader K. Karunakaran and remains the principal opposition bloc in the state.
National Democratic Alliance (NDA)
The NDA in Kerala is led by the Bharatiya Janata Party and includes parties such as Bharath Dharma Jana Sena along with other regional groups. Despite attempts to expand its presence, the alliance has struggled to achieve significant electoral success in the state.
2020 Local Body Elections: Boost for LDF
The 2020 local body elections in Kerala, held in December, served as an important political indicator ahead of the assembly polls.
The LDF delivered a strong performance, leading in 11 out of the state’s 14 district panchayats.
The inclusion of Kerala Congress (M) in the alliance also helped the LDF gain ground in traditional UDF strongholds, particularly in Kottayam district, where Syrian Christian voters form a key electoral base.
