The first phase was held on 22 April 2006, when 59 out of the 140 constituencies in Kerala voted.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) -led Left Democratic Front beat the incumbent Indian National Congress-led United Democratic Front by a margin of 56 seats.

V. S. Achuthanandan, who led the CPI(M) was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Kerala on 18 May 2006.

The UDF led government headed by A. K. Antony had won the previous elections held in 2001 by winning 99 seats.

He later resigned on 28 August 2004 after UDF's dismal performance in Kerala for the Lok Sabha election that year, winning just one seat.