The Election Commission of India announced the schedule for the Kerala assembly elections at a press conference in New Delhi on Sunday, with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar confirming that the Model Code of Conduct would come into force with immediate effect.
The announcement, made at a briefing at 4 pm at the Election Commission’s headquarters, covered the complete polling schedule for the 140-seat Kerala assembly, besides the states of West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Assam, and the union territory of Puducherry.
The dates declared by the EC are as follows
- Polling on April 9
- Counting of votes on May 4, 2026
Gyanesh Kumar had earlier led a two-day review visit to Kerala, during which he met district collectors, police superintendents, and representatives of political parties. During that visit, he recalled his association with the state from over two decades ago, describing it as his “karma bhoomi”.
Among new measures announced for this election, the commission confirmed the introduction of candidate photographs on electronic voting machines; 100% webcasting at polling stations; and the facility for senior citizens and persons with disabilities to vote from home.
The tenure of the current Kerala legislative assembly is scheduled to end on May 23, 2026. The announcement triggers the Model Code of Conduct across the state, restricting government announcements and inaugurations for the duration of the campaign period.
With the schedule now confirmed, parties are expected to accelerate the finalisation of candidate lists.
SIR completed, candidates being announced
The EC’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls concluded in Kerala with the final list published on February 21. The SIR, carried out between November 2025 and January 2026, resulted in a final electorate of 2,69,53,644, (or around 2.69 crore).
The Congress, part of the main opposition alliance United Democratic Front (UDF), has reportedly approved 31 candidates for the 2026 Kerala elections, largely comprising sitting MLAs. Several sitting Lok Sabha members have reportedly lobbied the high command for assembly tickets, complicating the finalisation of the remainder of the list.
The BJP, which has historically struggled to convert vote share into assembly seats in Kerala, is concentrating on around 10 constituencies where it sees realistic prospects based on organisational strength and local dynamics, news agencies have reported.
What happened last time, what LDF hopes
The Left Democratic Front (LDF), led by the CPI(M), secured a historic second consecutive term, winning 99 of 140 seats, in 2021. The UDF led by the Congress was reduced to 41 seats. The BJP-led NDA managed just one seat.
Pinarayi Vijayan was sworn in again as CM — the first time in decades that a ruling front was re-elected in Kerala. The result was seen as a strong endorsement of the LDF government’s performance, particularly its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, the LDF’s bid for a third consecutive term is without precedent in Kerala’s recent political history.
The CPI(M) is banking on the social welfare initiatives of the Pinarayi Vijayan government, though the Congress-led UDF is hoping for a comeback citing anti-incumbency and several controversies — including the Sabarimala gold-theft case — that have put the ruling party on the defensive.
In 2016, the LDF had wrested power from the UDF with a narrow majority, ending a five-year Congress-led government that had been dogged by corruption allegations and the solar panel scam.
