Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar dissolved the 15th Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, according to a gazette notification released May 7. The dissolution, effective from May 6, was executed under Article 174(2)(b) of the Constitution of India following the conclusion of the state assembly elections.

The constitutional move follows the April 9 polls in which the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) secured a decisive victory, winning 102 of the 140 available seats. The incumbent CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) was reduced to 35 seats, while the BJP won three seats.

The official notification confirms the end of the current house's tenure, clearing the legal path for the UDF to stake its claim to form the next government. The election results mark a significant shift in the state's political composition.

Formal proceedings for the swearing-in of the new Chief Minister and the constitution of the 16th Legislative Assembly are expected to begin within the next 48 hours.