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Kerala Assembly elections 2021: Here is all you need to know

Kerala goes to polls on April 6, counting on May 2

Elections to the 140-member Kerala assembly will take place on April 6 with the Left Democratic Front looking to retain power and the United Democratic Front hoping to make a comeback. The BJP-led National Democratic Front has also launched a vigorous campaign, hoping to further improve their vote tally in the changed political scenario.

Elections will be held in a single phase on April 6 and the counting of votes will take place on May 6. The tenure of the 14th Legislative Assembly will end on June 1.
 

Important dates

Issue of Gazette Notification: March 12

Last date of nomination: March 19

Scrutiny of nomination: March 20

Last date for withdrawal of candidature: March 22

Date of polling: April 6

Counting of votes: May 2
 

Total number of voters: 2,67,31,509

Men: 1,37,79,263

Women: 1,29,52,025

Transgenders: 221

First time voters aged 18 and 19: 2,99,258

Total constituency: 140

Seats required for majority: 71
 

Major alliances

LDF: CPI(M), CPI, Kerala Congress (M), Janata Dal (Secular), NCP, Loktantrik Janata Dal, INL, Congress (S), Kerala Congress (B), JKC

UDF: INC, IUML, RSP, Kerala Congress, Kerala Congress (Jacob), CMP, RMP 

NDA: BJP, BDJS, AIADMK, Kamaraj Congress, JRS, Social Justice Party

Current seat status

LDF 91

UDF 41

NDA 1

The LDF hopes that the welfare initiatives of the Pinarayi Vijayan government like service pension and free food kit, and the measures taken by it to effectively curb the COVID-19 pandemic would help them retain power. The opposition, on the other hand, has been raking up a plethora of issues including gold smuggling, deep sea fishing contracts, alleged backdoor appointments in govt jobs and Sabarimala women entry to corner the government.

The BJP, which has only one seat in the current house, hopes to make a major gain this election as the party has fielded an array of celebrity leaders including Metrman E. Sreedharan and former DGP Jacob Thomas.