ECI Announces Assembly Election Dates for 5 States/UT in 2026

The Election Commission of India (ECI) officially announced the schedule for the highly anticipated Assembly elections across four states and one Union Territory on Sunday, March 15, 2026. The states going to polls are West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and the Union Territory of Puducherry. This announcement was made during a press conference convened by the ECI at 4 PM IST, with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar leading the briefing alongside Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi. According to the detailed schedule released by the ECI, polling for Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry will be conducted in a single phase on April 9, 2026. Tamil Nadu will also see voting take place in a single phase on April 23, 2026. In contrast, West Bengal, a state with a history of multi-phased elections, will go to polls in two phases. The first phase for West Bengal is scheduled for April 23, 2026, followed by the second phase on April 29, 2026. This marks a significant reduction from the eight phases of polling witnessed in West Bengal during the 2021 Assembly elections. The counting of votes for all five legislative assemblies – West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry – will take place simultaneously on May 4, 2026. The entire election process is slated to be completed by May 6, 2026. The announcement by the ECI comes as the terms of the current Legislative Assemblies in these states and the Union Territory are set to expire between May and June 2026. Specifically, the term for West Bengal's Assembly ends on May 7, Tamil Nadu's on May 10, Assam's on May 20, Kerala's on May 23, and Puducherry's on June 15. With the declaration of the election dates, the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has immediately come into effect in all poll-bound regions. The MCC is a set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India for conduct of political parties and candidates during elections, ensuring a level playing field. The ECI has emphasized its commitment to ensuring free, fair, and transparent elections, stating that approximately 17.4 crore electors are eligible to cast their votes in this significant electoral exercise. The commission has also reviewed poll preparedness and ensured that electoral rolls are accurate, following special intensive revisions of voters' lists in these states and the UT. The upcoming elections are crucial for both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposition's INDIA bloc, as they vie for control in these key states and the Union Territory. The election process will also be observed by guests from over 20 countries, representing their respective electoral commissions, to witness India's democratic festivities. Further details provided include the number of constituencies in each region: West Bengal has 294 assembly seats, Tamil Nadu has 234, Kerala has 140, Assam has 126, and Puducherry has 30 seats. This announcement sets the stage for a vigorous democratic contest, where various political parties will present their manifestos and engage with the electorate to secure mandates for the next five years. The reduced phasing in West Bengal was a notable point, with the Chief Election Commissioner explaining that the decision was made after detailed deliberations to ensure convenience for all stakeholders, as a prolonged schedule can increase election expenses and diminish public enthusiasm.

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