The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) announced its first list of candidates for the Kerala Assembly elections, scheduled for April 9, 2026. Senior leader PK Kunhalikutty will contest from the Malappuram constituency, marking a significant change from his earlier seat of Vengara.
KM Shaji has been named the party’s candidate for Vengara. Other nominees include Faisal Babu for Kozhikode South, Fathima Tehliyya for Perambra, Jayanthi Rajan for Kuthuparamba, Razaq Master for Kunnamangalam, Rahmathulla for Manjeri, and Anwar Naha for Tirurangadi.
The Kerala Legislative Assembly elections will be held in a single phase on April 9, with vote counting set for May 4, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI). The Model Code of Conduct came into effect on Sunday, initiating the process for elections to the 140-member Kerala Niyamasabha. The current assembly’s term is due to end on May 23, 2026.
At a press conference in New Delhi, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar stated, “Voting will be held across 2.19 lakh polling stations in four states and one Union Territory, with 25 lakh election officials on duty.” Approximately 2.7 crore electors are expected to participate in the Kerala polls.
The deadline for filing nominations is March 23, with scrutiny on March 24 and withdrawal of candidatures by March 26. Following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the state electoral roll, the ECI published Kerala’s final voter list on February 21. Around 53,229 individuals were removed from the list during this exercise, which took place from November 11, 2025, to January 30, 2026.
Kerala continues to demonstrate high voter engagement, with turnout exceeding 80 per cent in many constituencies. In Kuttiadi and Taliparamba, turnout surpassed 85 per cent.
Earlier in the year, IUML president Syed Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal confirmed the party’s intention to request additional seats within the United Democratic Front alliance, citing strong performance in recent state civic polls. Speaking to ANI on January 3, he said, “The Indian Union Muslim League will seek a higher number of seats in the upcoming Assembly elections. The exact number of seats to be demanded has not yet been finalised. The League will contest in its existing constituencies, and candidates will be announced at an early stage. Women will be given priority in the candidate list… Seat-sharing decisions will be made purely based on winning prospects. The Muslim League has no political alliance with the Welfare Party of India.”