Kerala Assembly polls 2026: UDF expects Ernakulam sweep as LDF, NDA hope to improve electoral show

In the 2026 Kerala Assembly polls, UDF aims for a clean sweep in Ernakulam, while LDF and NDA seek improved performances.

A day after voting in the Assembly elections, all major political fronts in Ernakulam district expressed optimism about an improved performance, even as the higher voter turnout of 79.89% triggers speculation.

The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), based on a preliminary assessment of the polling, on Friday (April 10, 2026) exuded confidence that it would record a sweeping victory by winning all 14 constituencies in the district. The CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF), meanwhile, said its seat share would go up, while the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), headed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said it was all set to open its account in the district.

The UDF, which is confident of a “State-wide trend” in its favour, is also expecting a wave to sweep across the district. “The political circumstances are such that there is no reason for us to lose any seat in the district. This is an election that gave people a chance to vote directly against the Pinarayi government. This is the sentiment we felt throughout the campaign,” District Congress Committee president Mohammed Shiyas said.

Mr. Shiyas, the UDF candidate in the Kochi constituency, one of the five seats held by the LDF in the district, said the LDF would lose all its sitting seats, including Kalamassery, represented by CPI(M) leader and Industries Minister P. Rajeeve, in the “UDF wave”. The UDF, however, was yet to process the booth-wise polling data.

The CPI(M) conducted a preliminary assessment of the polling at a district secretariat meeting on Friday. The party’s district secretary, S. Sathish, said the LDF would improve its tally, though he did not go into details.

Another CPI(M) leader, meanwhile, said the LDF is hopeful of winning the Thripunithura seat, besides retaining its sitting seats, though the victory margins may be lower. The front is pinning its hopes on CPI(M) candidate K.N. Unnikrishnan’s personal network in the constituency, especially in the Palluruthy area. The party’s preliminary assessment is that Mr. Unnikrishnan will win by 3,000-odd votes.