ECI Announces Assembly Election Dates: Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry on Single Phase; Assam Single Day; West Bengal in Two Phases
New Delhi: Polling for Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry will take place in a single phase on April 9, 2026. All 140 assembly constituencies in Kerala will vote on that day. Assam’s 126 constituencies and Puducherry’s 30 constituencies will also go to the polls simultaneously. Tamil Nadu’s 234 assembly constituencies are scheduled for a single-phase election on April 23, 2026.
West Bengal will hold elections in two phases. The first phase covers a portion of constituencies on April 23, 2026, with the second phase following on April 29, 2026. This marks a reduction in phases compared to the 2021 elections, which required eight phases in West Bengal.
The counting of votes for all five states and the Union Territory will occur on May 4, 2026. The Model Code of Conduct comes into effect immediately across these regions.
The assembly terms end as follows: West Bengal on May 7, Tamil Nadu on May 10, Assam on May 20, Kerala on May 23, and Puducherry on June 15. The ECI indicated that security arrangements, including deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), have been planned to ensure free and fair polls, with expectations of higher CAPF deployment than in some recent state elections.
These elections involve significant political stakes. In Kerala, the Left Democratic Front (LDF), led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, seeks another term. Tamil Nadu’s ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), under M.K. Stalin, faces opposition from alliances including the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). Assam’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, headed by Himanta Biswa Sarma, aims to retain power. West Bengal’s Trinamool Congress, led by Mamata Banerjee, defends its majority. In Puducherry, the AINRC-BJP alliance under N. Rangaswamy holds office.
The announcement follows the ECI’s recent visits to review poll preparedness in states like West Bengal and Kerala. Electoral rolls have been finalized, with West Bengal’s final roll published in late February having around 6.4 crore electors.
Political parties are expected to intensify campaign preparations, including candidate selections, alliance formations, and manifesto releases, now that dates are confirmed. The elections will cover diverse regions with varying demographic and political dynamics, influencing national political narratives ahead of future contests.
(Word count: 498)5.9sheadline pleaseECI Announces Assembly Election Dates: Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry on Single Phase; Assam Single Day; West Bengal in Two Phases
Polling in Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry set for April 9, 2026; Tamil Nadu on April 23, 2026; West Bengal in two phases on April 23 and 29, 2026; votes to be counted on May 4, 2026.
