Election Commission Unveils Schedule for Upcoming Assembly Elections in Five States
The Election Commission of India has officially announced the schedule for the upcoming assembly elections in five states, including West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry. With the Model Code of Conduct now in effect, the elections are set to take place in two phases in West Bengal, while other states will likely conduct their elections in a single phase. Key dates include April 23 and April 29 for West Bengal, with results expected on May 4. This announcement marks the beginning of a significant political contest as assembly terms in these regions are set to conclude soon.
| Mar 15, 2026, 16:52 IST
Election Announcement for Five States
The electoral process has officially commenced in five states, including West Bengal. The Election Commission of India revealed the detailed schedule for the upcoming assembly elections during a press conference held in New Delhi on Sunday. With this announcement, the 'Model Code of Conduct' has come into effect in the respective states.
In a significant political battle, elections are set to take place in four states—West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam—and the Union Territory of Puducherry. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar disclosed the election dates during a press briefing at Vigyan Bhawan on Sunday evening. West Bengal is under particular scrutiny, as the commission has decided to conduct voting in two phases due to security and sensitivity concerns.
The competition for the 294 assembly seats in West Bengal is expected to be quite intense. The voting schedule is as follows:
First Phase: April 23, 2026
Second Phase: April 29, 2026
Results: May 4, 2026
As soon as the election dates are announced, the Model Code of Conduct will be immediately applicable across all states.
The terms of the assemblies in these states and the Union Territory will conclude between May and June. The West Bengal assembly's term 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.
Typically, elections in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry are conducted in a single phase, while West Bengal and Assam usually require multiple phases due to their larger size and security considerations. The Tamil Nadu assembly elections are likely to occur in the second week of April.