- By Kamakshi Bishnoi
- Mon, 06 Apr 2026 05:33 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Many expatriates living in the UAE are paying approximately Dh9,000 (Rs 2.3 lakh) for tickets to return to India and vote in the Kerala Assembly elections on April 9, 2026, according to reports.
Many Keralites who live in Gulf countries will travel back home at election time. However, it is reported that people in the Gulf will have fewer opportunities to vote due to high ticket prices.
Voting in Kerala is scheduled for April 9, and the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) will try to win a rare third-term under Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
Among those travelling to vote is 40-year-old Roy George, an expatriate who returned from the UK to care for his sick mother. George finds himself in a larger discussion surrounding the experiences of other migrants who want to move back home.
George's hometown is Changanassery in the Kottayam district. He said he was unsure if he would be able to continue voting in the future because of what has happened to many families living overseas.
As a result, the impact of migration is a significant focus of the election campaigns as all political parties are promising to create better educational and job opportunities to decrease the number of people needing to migrate abroad.
Political issues of migration
Migration is becoming an important political issue in the current election campaign. Several major political parties have committed to providing better job and education opportunities within the state of Kerala, so that individuals and their families will not have to emigrate from the state.
However, migration is not only about jobs, as Roy indicates: “It is good that political parties are discussing migration in the election. However, a majority of people don't move out just for jobs. The salary gap between Kerala and foreign countries is huge, which attracts us to go abroad.”
As a Gulf returnee, Roy’s situation reflects the same trend as other families. His parents were Gulf returnees; he and all of his siblings work outside Kerala. Roy’s family owns large rubber plantations in Kerala.
Roy also notes that migration is now a long-term option for many households. “Our children are accustomed to life abroad and prefer living in the UK rather than returning to Kerala. Even though we miss our native place, we may be forced to live abroad as our children will settle there,” he said.
Political Parties have taken on this issue during their campaigns as well.
Leaders of Congress are highlighting that students and job seekers are fleeing the state due to poor educational and industrial conditions; however, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at a rally of NDA's party held in Kerala, claimed that he would create opportunities “in Kerala so the youth of Kerala will not have to leave Kerala for job opportunities.”
In addition, the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) has promised that if a young person completes their education in Kerala, the government will find a job for them.
Congress MP Hibi Eden told PTI that the Congress party is targeting young people who want to stay in the state but have been forced out of the state to find employment.
“We cannot control brain drain. But there are a large number of people who do not want to leave the state and wish to stay with their families. However, due to unfavourable conditions, they are forced to go out. For this, opportunities must be created here,” he said.
He noted, however, that matching salaries with those of Europe and the United States is challenging.
“We have multinational tech companies here offering high salaries. Though lower than abroad, attractive pay packages could encourage people who want to return and settle here. More such companies and infrastructure are needed,” he added.
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International Institute of Migration and Development (IIMD) chair S Irudaya Rajan stated that around 23 to 25 lakh people from Kerala are working abroad, with another 10 to 15 lakh people employed in other Indian states, as estimated for 2023.
According to Rajan, migration has been a long-term trend and cannot be stopped. “The brain drain cannot be stopped. Instead, authorities should focus on brain gain. There should be schemes to attract people back after their careers abroad, rather than letting them settle permanently outside,” he said.
Rajan stated that individual motivations for migration are not necessarily due to a lack of job opportunities or education in Kerala. “It is estimated that over 35 lakh people from other states are working in Kerala. So, we cannot say there is a lack of opportunities. It is the salary differential that drives people abroad,” he said.
Rajan explained that some people return after migrating to the Gulf region at least later in their careers and/or after retirement, while most migrations to Europe, the USA and Australia often result in permanent settlements. He noted that demographic changes are projected to continue to shift more people out of central and southern Kerala, as many homes in this area are occupied by either elderly parents or are being left as empty homes.