Upcoming Assembly Elections in Five Indian States Announced
Election Schedule Revealed
The Election Commission has declared that Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal will conduct their Assembly elections in phases, starting April 9. The results for all states are set to be revealed on May 4.
Polling in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry will occur in a single phase on April 9, while Tamil Nadu will hold its election on April 23. West Bengal will have its voting spread over two phases on April 23 and April 29.
With the announcement of the election schedule, the Model Code of Conduct has come into effect. This code consists of guidelines that political parties, candidates, and the government must adhere to during the election period, covering aspects such as speeches, campaigning, and election manifestos.
Over 17.4 crore voters are eligible to participate in these elections.
Final Voter Lists Published
Revised Voter Lists
The final voter lists for the four states and the Union Territory have been released following a thorough revision of electoral rolls. However, the process is still ongoing in West Bengal, where numerous voters are currently 'under adjudication.'
On February 28, the Election Commission published the final electoral roll for West Bengal, which revealed the removal of over 61 lakh voters. Approximately 60 lakh cases remain 'under adjudication' due to objections regarding their exclusion from the draft rolls released in December.
Names approved by judicial officers will be included in a supplementary list. On February 20, the Supreme Court mandated that judicial officers of district judge rank assist in completing the special intensive revision of electoral rolls in West Bengal amid a dispute between the state government and the Election Commission.
Subsequently, the court permitted judges from Odisha and Jharkhand to be involved in resolving claims and objections raised during this process.
2021 Election Results Overview
The 2021 Results
The Trinamool Congress, led by Mamata Banerjee, has governed West Bengal since 2011. The primary opposition has transitioned from Left parties to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the years.
In the 2021 elections, the BJP secured 77 seats in the 294-member Assembly, while the Trinamool Congress won 215 seats. An alliance of the Left, Congress, and smaller parties garnered only one seat despite a 10% vote share.
In Assam, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance achieved a significant majority, winning 75 out of 126 seats. The opposition Mahajot alliance, which includes Congress, the Left, and the All India United Democratic Front, captured 50 seats. Following the elections, Himanta Biswa Sarma took over as chief minister from Sarbananda Sonowal.
Tamil Nadu's Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-led alliance, which includes Congress and the Left, won 159 seats in the 234-member Assembly, while the NDA, consisting of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the BJP, secured 75 seats. MK Stalin from DMK became the chief minister.
In Kerala, the Left Democratic Front broke a 44-year trend of incumbents losing power, winning 99 seats in the 140-member Assembly, while the Congress-led United Democratic Front obtained 41 seats.
Puducherry saw the NDA, comprising the All India NR Congress and the BJP, defeat the United Progressive Alliance, which included Congress and DMK. N Rangaswamy from the NR Congress was appointed as chief minister.
This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.