Mood of the State survey: Development and governance emerge key factors in Kerala’s 2026 vote
Thiruvananthapuram: As the political landscape in Kerala intensifies, the latest Mathrubhumi-CORE ‘Mood of the State’ survey has provided a detailed roadmap of the electorate’s mindset. The data suggests a sophisticated voter base that is increasingly prioritising development (36.06%) and a desire for change (15.94%) over emotive or religious issues.
State-wide voter priorities
The primary factors influencing the vote across the entire state highlight a focus on governance and economic stability
| Key influencing factors | Overall Percentage (%) |
| Development | 36.06% |
| Desire for change | 15.94% |
| Party politics | 13.58% |
| Candidate merit | 9.66% |
| Price rise (Inflation) | 6.60% |
Regional breakdown: A divided focus
The survey further dissects these priorities across the three main geographical belts of Kerala.
North Kerala (60 Assembly Constituencies)
In the north, the focus on growth is at its peak.
- Development: 40.28%
- Desire for change: 17.18%
- Politics: 13.67%
- Candidate merit: 10.09%
- Corruption: 6.75%
- Price rise: 5.78%
Central Kerala (40 Assembly Constituencies)
Central Kerala shows a higher engagement with political ideology and corruption issues.
- Development: 30.62%
- Politics: 17.82%
- Desire for change: 13.27%
- Corruption: 12.40%
- Candidate merit: 9.39%
- Price rise: 6.61%
South Kerala (40 Assembly Constituencies)
The south exhibits the highest concern regarding the cost of living and administrative integrity.
- Development: 34.07%
- Desire for change: 16.37%
- Corruption: 14.24%
- Candidate merit: 9.10%
- Politics: 8.93%
- Price Rise: 7.94%
Gender-wise perspectives
The data reveals a slight divergence in how men and women weigh specific issues, though development remains the top concern for both at approximately 36%.
- Women: Show a higher sensitivity to price rise (7.26%) and candidate merit (10.81%).
- Men: Are more influenced by politics (14.98%) and corruption (11.02%).
Key takeaway: Notably, the controversial "Sabarimala / Gold Smuggling" issues and the "Jama-at-Isalami / Welfare Party Alliance" factor scored consistently low across all demographics, suggesting these may not be the "game-changers" they once were.