Keralam elections 2026: 16% voter turnout recorded in first two hours

Keralam reported 16.23% voting in the first two hours in the crucial state Assembly elections. Polling is underway in all 140 Assembly constituencies in the state. Voting began at 7 am on Thursday (April 9) at the 30,495 polling stations in the state.

Constituency-wise, the highest polling percentage till 9 am was seen in Thripunithura with 20.59%, according to EC data.

Tight security arrangements are in place, which included deployment of over 76,000 security personnel and live monitoring of the election process by an extensive webcasting system.

Around 2.71 crore voters will decide the fate of the 883 candidates who are contesting from the 140 Assembly constituencies in the state.

Kerala polls: Full list of Congress candidates

As per the Election Commission, the electorate comprises 1.32 crore men, 1.39 crore women and 273 transgender persons, along with over 2.42 lakh overseas voters.

Kerala polls: Full list of LDF candidates

The voters will also decide whether the LDF get a third consecutive term or if the UDF or NDA present viable alternatives. The result will be declared on May 4.