VIDEO | Kerala Election Results: Visuals of celebration from the Congress party office in Thiruvananthapuram as Congress-led UDF surged ahead as counting of votes for the April 9 Assembly elections gathered pace, with early trends showing a clear advantage for the opposition… pic.twitter.com/69WJzdbSPx

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 4, 2026

As vote counting was underway in Kerala with the UDF ahead, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Monday expressed confidence that his party will secure a comfortable majority to form the government.

Talking to IANS, Tharoor said, "I am very enthusiastic. The trends so far are positive and better than we expected. I believe we will see good results today and secure a comfortable majority."

He added that while Kerala remains a state with diverse and strong political opinions, the early trends indicate a favourable outcome for his party. "A clear and comfortable majority seems to be on the cards. So far, there is every reason to feel optimistic," he said.

However, he noted that final clarity will emerge as counting progresses. "By around 11:30 am, the picture will be much clearer," Tharoor told IANS.

(IANS)

#WATCH | Keralam Elections 2026 | Congress General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal shares a hug with party leader Ramesh Chennithala, state party chief Sunny Jospeh and party MP Shashi Tharoor at the party office in Thiruvananthapuram.
Congress-led UDF has crossed the… pic.twitter.com/Zs1UxRFauu

— ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2026

With vote counting for the Kerala elections on Monday entering a crucial phase, the decade-long rule of the Left government led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan appears to be heading towards a decisive end, as trends point to a sweeping victory for the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF).

At the end of the third round of counting, Vijayan himself is trailing in Dharmadam, underlining the scale of the challenge faced by the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF).

In a parallel development, Leader of the Opposition VD Satheesan, who briefly trailed earlier, has surged ahead.

In the 140-member Kerala Assembly, the outgoing House saw the LDF dominate with 98 seats, while the UDF sat in the opposition, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) failed to secure representation.

Current trends, however, indicate a dramatic reversal.

The UDF is now leading in 99 seats, well beyond the halfway mark, while the LDF is ahead in just 40 constituencies, with the NDA ahead in one seat.

(PTI)

Early trends released by the Election Commission of India show the Congress leading in 61 seats in Kerala, with CPI(M) ahead in 29 seats. The CPI is leading in nine seats, while the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) is ahead in 22 seats and the BJP in one seat, as counting of votes continues across the state.

Congress leader VD Satheesan is leading from the Paravur Assembly constituency by a margin of more than 1,606 votes as counting of ballots progresses in Kerala. 

For the first time, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is trailing as are several of his cabinet colleagues. State Congress president and fighting his own battle in his home turf, Sunny Joseph, said this was a clear trend, and nothing is stopping them from storming to power.

As counting gathers pace, it signals a challenging day for the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF).

As per the latest trends, 14 ministers, including CM Vijayan, are trailing in their respective constituencies. In 2021, Vijayan won Dharmadam with a margin of 50,000 votes.

The Congress-led UDF is leading in 93, the Left in 42, and the BJP in five.

The broader picture, however, points to a strong surge by the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), which has established a clear lead after early rounds of EVM counting.

(PTI)

The initial two hours of counting of votes polled in the April 9 Kerala Assembly polls showed the Congress-led UDF taking a massive lead, as per news reports, indicating the front may claim power in the state.

According to news reports, the UDF was ahead in over 90 seats, while the CPI(M)-led LDF was leading in under 50 seats, and the BJP-headed NDA was leading in around 5 seats.

The Election Commission figures indicated that the Congress was ahead in 50 seats, CPI(M) in 31, IUML in 17, CPI in 13, with Kerala Congress (M) ahead in 4, and the BJP, Kerala Congress (KEC) and Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) leading in 3 seats each.

The trends appear to support the UDF's claim that it would get a huge majority.

(PTI)

Early trends released by the Election Commission of India show the Congress leading in 54 seats in Kerala, with CPI(M) ahead in 31 seats. The CPI is leading in 12 seats, while the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) is ahead in 20 seats and the BJP in three seats, as counting of votes continues across the state.

#WATCH | Keralam Elections 2026 | Congress-led UDF has crossed the majority mark, according to the latest Election Commission trends.
When asked about factors behind LDF's poor performance, State Congress president Sunny Joseph says, "Anti-people policies."
"That we will decide… pic.twitter.com/pEVBHSjLfK

— ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2026

At least 12 ministers in the CPI(M)-led LDF cabinet were trailing on Monday with the counting of votes polled in the April 9 Assembly elections progressing across the state.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was also trailing in his sitting seat Dharmadam, considered his bastion and where his village Pinarayi falls.

According to various reports, ministers- Veena George, MB Rajesh, OR Kelu, R Bindhu, J Chinchurani, P Rajeev, KB Ganesh Kumar, VN Vasavan, V Sivankutty, V Abdurahiman, AK Saseendran and Roshy Augustine were trailing in their respective constituencies.

The Congress-UDF was ahead in over 90 seats, while the LDF was leading in a little over 40 seats. The BJP-headed NDA was leading in four Assembly constituencies according to reports. 

(PTI)

The BJP-led NDA is leading in five constituencies in Kerala with the counting of votes in the April 9 Assembly polls reaching the initial one and hours.

The BJP-led NDA continues to maintain the lead in Nemom, Kazhakkoottam, Manjeswar, Palakkad and Chathannur in the initial hour, according to various television reports.

The BJP-NDA, which is making its way to open an account in the state Assembly, is pinning its hope on a handful of constituencies this time.

The Congress-UDF was ahead in over 90 seats, while the CPI(M)-led LDF was leading in over 40 seats, with the counting progressing, according to news reports.

(PTI)

Early trends released by the Election Commission of India show the Congress leading in 51 seats in Kerala, with CPI(M) ahead in 27 seats. The CPI is leading in nine seats, while the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) is ahead in 15 seats and the BJP in three seats, as counting of votes continues across the state.

At least seven Kerala ministers are trailing with the counting of votes polled in the April 9 Assembly elections progressing in the state.

According to various television reports, the ministers Veena George, MB Rajesh, OR Kelu, R Bindhu, J Chinchurani, P Rajeev, KB Ganesh Kumar, and Roshy Augustine were trailing in their respective constituencies in the first hour of counting.

(PTI)

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday expressed confidence in winning the Assembly elections across five states/Union Territory, and said that the party will see "growth" in Kerala.

Speaking to IANS, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said, "The results of today's elections will be announced soon. I can say that it will be a 'GRWM' moment, there's a term on Instagram called GRWM (Get Ready With Me). In Kerala, the BJP will see growth. In Puducherry and Tamil Nadu, we will make a strong return.

The counting of votes is underway for the Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Assam, and Puducherry, and final results are expected by the end of the day as trends emerge through multiple counting rounds.

(IANS)

Early trends released by the Election Commission of India show the Congress leading in 10 seats in Kerala, followed by CPI(M) in five seats. The CPI and Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) are ahead in two seats each, while the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) are leading in one seat each as counting progresses.

Early trends released by the Election Commission show the Congress leading in four seats, CPI (M), CPI and Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) in one seat in Kerala as counting progresses.

Early trends released by the Election Commission show the Congress leading in three seats and the CPI in one seat in Kerala as counting progresses. 

#WATCH | Keralam Elections 2026 | Counting of votes cast through EVMs has begun at a counting centre in Allapuzha. pic.twitter.com/ViQ4867Y5l

— ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2026

#WATCH | Jammu: On Assembly election results, BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Sunil Sharma, “...the kind of love and support people have shown to BJP and PM Modi, it is clear that it is forming governments in Assam, West Bengal and… pic.twitter.com/ToJxWrLV27

— ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2026

VIDEO | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: Congress MP Jebi Mather says, "Its going to be a great victory for the Congress-led UDF. We are expecting over 100 seats and definitely above 85... There is no doubt about the fact that Kerala will have a Congress Chief Minister and the UDF… pic.twitter.com/kRE3Z8v2F3

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 4, 2026

🔴#BREAKING | Very early leads roll in for Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Keralam & Assam#ResultsWithNDTV pic.twitter.com/Sh109mNmRP

— NDTV (@ndtv) May 4, 2026

Early trends from the Kerala Assembly election count on Monday showed the Congress-led UDF taking the initial lead, ahead in six seats, while the ruling LDF was leading in two and the BJP in one. 

Tight security arrangements have been made across Kerala for the counting of votes in the April 9 Assembly elections, which is being held today.

As many as 32,300 police personnel, including 20 companies of Central Armed Police Forces, have been deployed for security at counting centres across the state, officials said.

Only persons carrying QR-based identity cards will be allowed entry into the counting centres.

Strongrooms were opened in the morning in the persence of armed police officials.

Police have also taken preventive measures to curb any violence after the declaration of results.

As part of the security arrangements, CCTV and drone surveillance have been enhanced, and the entire police force has been mobilised for election duty, officials said.

(PTI)

#WATCH | Keralam Elections 2026 | Thiruvanathapuram: Former State president of BJP, P.K. Krishnadas says, "We have good expectations. In this election, we will win many of the seats out of 140. We have full confidence in this election. After this election, NDA will become the… pic.twitter.com/ayr7hxkNwT

— ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2026

VIDEO | Delhi: Food, sweets being prepared at BJP headquarters as counting of votes for assembly elections set to begin in West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry after a riveting high-voltage contest with the outcome crucial for prominent ruling regional parties like… pic.twitter.com/QrHSFiwKqP

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 4, 2026

#WATCH | Kerala assembly elections 2026 | Thiruvananthapuram: Congress candidate from Kovalam Assembly constituency, M Vincent says, "In my constituency, I hope that I can win the election because I have full confidence in the people. I worked for the people for the last 10… pic.twitter.com/gG3U890znw

— ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2026

#WATCH | Keralam Elections 2026 | Strong room opened at St. Joseph School, Alappuzha. Counting of votes to begin shortly.
(Video Source: IPRD) pic.twitter.com/RmpPwNdPJU

— ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2026

Keralam Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan changed his social media bio on Sunday, one day ahead of the counting of votes for the recently held Assembly elections in the State.

The changed bio of Vijayan now reads "Polit Bureau Member, Communist Party of India (Marxist)".

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is eyeing a historic third consecutive term from his home turf.

VIDEO | Kerala Polls Results 2026: UDF candidate for Vizhinjam M Vincent confident of victory, says “I am happy that I am going to win, happier that UDF will form government after 10 years”.#KeralaPollResults2026 #Results2026WithPTI #AssemblyElectionResults2026
(Full video… pic.twitter.com/OM2GiIcQOK

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 4, 2026

VIDEO | Kerala Poll Results 2026: Security heightened outside Mar Ivanios College counting centre in Thiruvananthapuram.
CPI (M) MP AA Rahim says, “We are very confident. As far as the LDF is concerned, we are expecting a remarkable victory. We are waiting for the results. I do… pic.twitter.com/km1KYfhY23

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 4, 2026

#WATCH | Keralam Elections 2026 | Visuals from the counting centre at Mar Ivanios College campus, where votes for all constituencies in Thiruvananthapuram district will be counted today.
Counting of votes for all 140 Assembly constituencies in the state to begin at 8 am today. pic.twitter.com/kCKqkFcdkW

— ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2026

VIDEO | Kerala Poll Results 2026: Party cadres arrive at KPCC office in Thiruvananthapuram ahead of counting.#KeralaPollResults2026 #Results2026WithPTI #AssemblyElectionResults2026
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/fnu5YsQrjL

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 4, 2026

#WATCH | Thiruvananthapuram: Ahead of counting of votes for Keralam Elections 2026, BJP candidate from Kazahakootam, V Muraleedharan says, "In the elections to the Kerala Assembly, BJP presented before the people the need for a change and presenting the 12 years of PM Narendra… pic.twitter.com/7hskNLXaCI

— ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2026

The UDF will aim for a major improvement from the 41 seats it won in the 2021 assembly election, with some exit polls projecting 80-90 seats.

The ruling LDF pointed at forecasts of a close contest and remained hopeful of retaining power for a third consecutive term. Though matching its 2021 tally of 99 seats appears unlikely, the LDF expects to win 75-80 seats, claiming that the government's development initiatives will translate into votes.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) is set to announce the results of the Assembly elections 2026 in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry on May 4.

Counting of votes is expected to start early in the morning at 8 am under tight security arrangements, and the results are likely to be out by the end of the day. Trends are likely to emerge within the first few hours.

Political leaders and candidates across party lines on Sunday expressed confidence of victory ahead of the Kerala Assembly election results on May 4.

Speaking to reporters, Kerala Minister P A Mohamed Riyas said the situation was favourable for the CPI(M)-led LDF across the state.

"There will be a good victory for the LDF in Beypore as well as across Kerala," he said.

"We did not merely make promises but implemented them. The government stood with the people on their issues. There were no communal riots. People have realised this and want the LDF to continue," he said.

Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly V D Satheesan, who was present in his constituency (North Paravoor) on Sunday, declined to comment and said he would speak after the results were announced.

Former Union minister and BJP leader V Muraleedharan, contesting from Kazhakootam constituency, said feedback from voters indicated growing support for the BJP-led NDA.

(PTI)

Votes recorded in EVMs from up to 14 polling stations will be counted in each round. Officials said a clear trend or broad picture of the results is expected to emerge by the afternoon.

Postal ballots, which make up about 1.36% of the total votes cast, will be counted before the EVM votes. Special counting tables have been set up for this purpose, with each table handling up to 500 ballots under the supervision of an assistant returning officer.

Tight security measures have been put in place for the counting process. A total of 25 companies of central forces, along with state police personnel, have been deployed to guard the counting centres. Officials said a total of 15,464 personnel have been deployed for the counting process. This includes 140 returning officers, 1,340 additional returning officers, 4,208 micro observers, 4,208 counting supervisors, and 5,563 counting assistants.