Thiruvananthapuram, April 9 -- Voting began at 7 am across Kerala on Thursday for the crucial 2026 Assembly elections, marking the start of a massive democratic exercise that will determine whether the state opts for continuity in governance or a change in power.
A total of 2,71,96,936 voters, including 53,984 service voters, are eligible to cast their votes to elect 140 representatives to the 16th Legislative Assembly. The fate of 883 candidates hangs in the balance in what is being described as one of the fiercest electoral battles in the state's recent history.
Polling is being held in a single phase across all 14 districts and will continue till 6 pm under tight security arrangements. Alongside Kerala, polling is also taking place tod...