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. 

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)

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.

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.