As polling concludes, estimated voter turnout crosses 77%
VOTING for the 140 Assembly seats in Kerala concluded at 6 p.m. on Thursday (April 9, 2026), with the estimated voter turnout recorded at 77.45%. While the final figures are awaited, the latest voter percentage is higher than that of the 2021 Assembly polls (76%)
Although polling officially ended at 6 p.m., the voters still in line would get an opportunity to cast their vote. Till 5 p.m., a turnout of 75.01% was recorded.
The ruling LDF coalition is seeking a third term, and the UDF is looking to make a comeback. The NDA is also looking to open its accounts in the state.
The voting began at 7 a.m. Over 2.7 crore voters went to the polls across the state, where the elections were held in a single phase for all 140 constituencies, and 883 candidates are in the fray.
The electorate comprises 1.32 crore men, 1.39 crore women and 273 transgender persons, along with over 2.42 lakh overseas voters, underlining the scale of the electoral exercise, according to data from the Election Commission of India (ECI).
The ruling LDF will also battle incumbency after 10 years of being in power, seeking to win a historic third term. The UDF, meanwhile, is facing the polls bolstered by a remarkable performance in the 2025 local body elections. The BJP-led NDA also draws strength from its show in the 2024 Lok Sabha election and the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation.
Commotion at Koorkenchery as woman with bandaged index finger denied permission to vote
Tension prevailed at Koorkenchery in Thrissur after a young woman was denied permission to vote due to a bandaged finger, triggering hours of protest at the booth on Thursday (April 9, 2026).
The incident occurred at a polling station set up at Swami Bodhananda School at Koorkenchery, where Akshaya, a resident of Kannankulangara, was prevented from casting her vote as she had a bandage on her left index finger.
Akshaya had reportedly suffered an injury on April 6 after her hand got caught in a mixer grinder. When she arrived at the booth around 1:30 p.m., the presiding officer refused to allow her to vote, stating that ink could not be applied to the injured finger. Despite returning later with medical documents, the presiding officer allegedly remained firm in denying permission.
The denial sparked a protest at the booth, with Akshaya staging a sit-in along with her son. LDF leaders, including V. S. Sunil Kumar, reached the spot and demanded that she be allowed to vote using another finger. However, officials did not relent.
The standoff continued for hours, drawing attention and tension at the polling station. Finally, after prolonged protests, officials allowed Akshaya to cast her vote after 6 p.m., reportedly after obtaining a written affidavit from her.
