Kerala sees brisk polling, turnout crosses 75% at 5 pm

Kerala is witnessing a significant voter turnout in the 2026 Assembly elections, with polling percentages across the state showing strong civic engagement.

As of 5 pm on Thursday, voter turnout stood at 75.01%, with expectations that the final figure could cross the 80% mark. Earlier, at 3 pm, the turnout was recorded at 62.71 per cent. According to available data, Ernakulam district reported the highest turnout at around 66 per cent. With voters still queued up at nearly a thousand polling booths, the final turnout is likely to exceed 80%. There has been a heavy rush at polling booths across the state since morning, in both urban and rural areas.

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Polling is being held at 30,495 booths across 140 constituencies, with 2.71 crore voters eligible to cast their votes. Kerala goes to the polls after 23 days of intense campaigning by 883 candidates.

Prominent figures, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Leader of the Opposition VD Satheesan, BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar and actor Mohanlal, cast their votes early in the morning.

CPM State Secretary MV Govindan suggested the high turnout favours the LDF, while Congress leader AK Antony predicted a “sunset” for the current government by the end of the day. Antony said that the UDF will have a historic victory in the assembly elections.

Former KPCC president K Sudhakaran has said that the UDF will get up to 100 seats in the assembly elections. He said the LDF would not be allowed to continue in power, and he is 100 per cent sure that the UDF will come to power. K Sudhakaran was speaking to the media after casting his vote in a polling booth in Kannur.

BJP leadership highlighted their growth and predicted a strong triangular contest in several key constituencies.

Meanwhile, allegations of fake voting have been reported from some places. Complaints of fake voting have been raised in Manjeswaram, Palakkad, Vadakkanchery, Shoranur, Ottapalam and Tripunithura.

In a sad incident, a 63-year-old man, Vinod, collapsed and died shortly after casting his vote at a booth in Vaniyampara, Thrissur.