The counting to the 140-seat Kerala assembly began at 8 am on May 2 as the UDF and LDF are both looking to come to power in the state. As per current trends, it looks like the Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF government will likely win a second consecutive term, although UDF is trailing close behind. The election is vital for both alliances as chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan is looking to stay in power, while the Congress tries to win back power in the state. As in Tamil Nadu before 2016, Kerala has always voted to change governments in the state every five years. However, exit polls indicate that Vijayan may stay in power, hence breaking the tradition.
As the counting of postal votes for the Kerala Assembly polls is about to be completed, current trends show that LDF is leading with 89 seats, UDF with 49 seats and NDA with 2 seats.
Early leads indicate that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Health Minister K K Shailaja, former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala were leading in their respective constituencies.
LDF is currently leading in Kannur, Kottayam, Alappuzha and Kozhikode constituencies.
