UAE-Based Indian Expats Spend Up to ₹2.3 Lakh to Travel to Kerala for Polls

As Kerala prepared for Assembly polls on April 9, 2026, Indian expatriates based in the United Arab Emirates were reported to be paying as much as ₹2.3 lakh for last‑minute flights home to cast their ballots, underscoring the deep attachment of overseas Malayalis to the state’s political future. Media outlets cited fares nearing Dh9,000 for urgent travel amid heavy demand, with commentators noting that while tens of thousands of expatriates typically return during election season, turnout from the Gulf is expected to be comparatively lower this year because of soaring airfares and uncertain flight schedules.

“Some Indian expats in UAE spend up to Dh9,000 to fly to Kerala ahead of polls,” reported Khaleej Times, while Hindustan Times put the figure at “Indian expats in UAE spend ₹2.3 lakh on flight tickets to Kerala ahead of polls.”

The travel rush and steep ticket prices have intersected with a broader political conversation in Kerala about migration, employment and the state’s demographic future. Migration has emerged as a central election issue, with parties framing job creation and return migration as solutions to brain drain and economic stagnation.

• Political responses: The Congress has argued that students and job seekers are leaving Kerala because of “inadequate opportunities and weak industrial growth.”
• NDA position: The National Democratic Alliance has promised to create conditions so youth are “not compelled to move out for better prospects.”
• Ruling front: The Left Democratic Front (LDF), led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, has pledged employment support for youngsters completing education in the state.

Individual stories capture the stakes behind the numbers. Roy George, a 40‑year‑old expatriate originally from Changanassery in Kottayam district, returned from the United Kingdom after nearly a decade to care for an ailing mother and prepare to vote. His decision reflects wider concerns that migration may become permanent for many families and that salary gaps and living‑condition differentials abroad remain powerful pull factors.

Migration expert S Irudaya Rajan, chairman of the International Institute of Migration and Development, underlined the scale of the phenomenon: nearly 23–25 lakh Keralites are working abroad, with a further 10–15 lakh employed in other Indian states. Rajan advised that migration cannot be halted entirely and urged policymakers to pursue “brain gain” policies to encourage professionals to return after gaining overseas experience.

Despite high costs and logistical hurdles, the willingness of many expatriates to pay large sums to return and vote highlights the political weight of the global Malayali community. Observers say that expatriate turnout, even if reduced this cycle, continues to shape campaign messaging and party promises across Kerala.

Outlook

With migration and employment prominent in campaign narratives, parties will likely continue to pitch targeted economic and job‑creation proposals to reclaim or retain overseas voter goodwill. Whether high fares and travel uncertainty materially depress Gulf turnout remains to be seen, but the episode has already drawn attention to the interconnectedness of Kerala’s domestic politics and its extensive diaspora.