The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced on 15 March 2026 that Assembly elections will be held in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and the Union Territory of Puducherry.
- Single-phase elections will take place in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry on 9 April 2026, while Tamil Nadu will vote on 23 April 2026.
- West Bengal elections will be conducted in two phases on 23 April and 29 April 2026.
The first phase in West Bengal will cover 152 constituencies, while the second phase will cover 142 constituencies.
The counting of votes for all five assemblies will be held on 4 May 2026.
The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has come into force immediately after the announcement of the election schedule.
Around 17 crore voters are eligible to vote across 824 assembly constituencies in these elections. More than 2 lakh polling stations will be set up and nearly 25 lakh election officials will be deployed.
The Election Commission has also announced 100% webcasting at polling stations, a maximum of 1,200 voters per booth, and assured minimum facilities such as drinking water, toilets, and signage.
The current assembly terms will end in West Bengal (7 May 2026), Tamil Nadu (10 May 2026), Assam (20 May 2026), Kerala (23 May 2026), and Puducherry (15 June 2026).
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said the Commission reviewed election preparations in all poll-bound states and introduced 30 new initiatives to improve transparency in the election process.
These elections will involve large-scale administrative preparations and represent an important democratic exercise reflecting India’s unity in diversity.
