Kerala voter turnout crosses 78% in high-stakes assembly election

2.71 crore voters went to the polls on Thursday to elect their next representatives in the 140-seat state legislative assembly

Updated on: Apr 9, 2026, 22:18:18 IST

Edited by Danita Yadav

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Kerala, along with Assam and Puducherry, went to the polls on Thursday, April 9, to vote for its next state government. According to data from the Election Commission, voter turnout in Kerala as of 8pm reached 78.12 per cent.

People wait in a queue to cast votes during the Kerala Assembly elections, at a polling station, in Thiruvananthapuram, (PTI)

2.71 crore voters went to the polls on Thursday to elect their next representatives in the 140-seat state legislative assembly. Track LIVE updates on the state elections 2026

For the state, it's a tight three-way contest between the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF), Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) alliance, and BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

While the polls for the 140 seats closed at 5pm, those inside the polling stations and in line to cast their vote were allowed to exercise their right to vote.

Where the Kerala voter turnout stands

The voter turnout for the Kerala assembly elections 2026 now stands at 78.12 per cent, according to numbers released at 8pm.

While this is likely to be the final voter turnout as polls close, the Election Commission will share a detailed breakdown later.

Also Read | Minor protests reported in Kerala polling over bogus vote allegations

PTI added that EC data showed that Kozhikode district recorded the highest polling percentage at 81.02 per cent, followed by Palakkad with 80.47 per cent. The lowest was recorded in Pathanamthitta at 70.75 per cent.

EC expects 90 per cent turnout in Kerala

Speaking to news agency PTI, Kerala chief electoral officer (CEO) Rathan U Kelkar said the voting trend indicated that 90 per cent voter turnout would be seen in the state.

“If the current trend continues, by the time polling concludes, we are confident we will see a turnout of 90 per cent,” Kelkar was quoted as saying.

The voter turnout for the 2026 assembly elections has crossed that of previous elections. In 2021, the overall voter turnout for the 140-seat assembly election stood at 74.06 per cent.

Officials have added that the said the final turnout is expected to rise. If the trend continues, the overall turnout could cross 80.54 per cent, which is the highest the state has registered during the 1987 assembly polls

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