India
oi-Gaurav Sharma
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Sunday announced the schedule for the upcoming assembly elections in Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and the Union Territory of Puducherry. The announcement was made during a press conference held at 4 pm in New Delhi.
The briefing was led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi. With the poll schedule now declared, the Model Code of Conduct has come into force in all the poll-bound regions.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar announced the assembly election schedule for Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry on Sunday, activating the Model Code of Conduct in poll-bound regions.
Election Preparations Completed
Before announcing the schedule, the Election Commission conducted visits to the five states and the Union Territory earlier this month to assess readiness for the elections. The team held review meetings with local officials and political representatives, including a visit to West Bengal on March 10.
The special intensive revision of electoral rolls has also been completed. Final voter lists have now been published to ensure updated and accurate electoral data ahead of polling.
HERE ARE LIVE UPDATES FROM ECI PRESS CONFERENCE
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar says, “The Commission also facilitated the BLOs for doing an excellent work for the SIR. The Commission also interacted with the young and first-time voters, and our SWEEP icons, who are engaged in voter awareness activities. As all of you are aware, these five states and UTs represent distinct geographical and cultural landscapes of India. These elections represent not only a democratic exercise, but also the cultural richness of India and truly reflect the unity and diversity of our nation…”
#WATCH | Delhi: Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar says, “The Commission also facilitated the BLOs for doing an excellent work for the SIR. The Commission also interacted with the young and first-time voters, and our SWEEP icons, who are engaged in voter awareness… pic.twitter.com/aenH13TpME
— ANI (@ANI) March 15, 2026
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar says, “17.4 crore electors, roughly, also comprise the continent of Australia, France, South Africa, Germany and Canada. We will also see our guests from more than 20 countries from their electoral commissions who will be visiting these elections for witnessing the festive celebrations, the transparent and efficient celebrations of elections in India. The commission, along with lakhs of election officials and security personnel, is committed for ensuring free, fair, transparent, accessible and peaceful elections. Election Commission of India is also prepared to welcome each and every voter to their polling stations and provide them with a pleasant and comfortable voting experience. I would also like to make a special appeal to our youth and the first-time voters- my dear friends, you are about to step into one of the most important responsibilities of your life, exercising your democratic right, the right to vote. I urge you to participate enthusiastically in this great democratic exercise and cast your vote with pride, responsibility and confidence. Your vote is your choice in shaping the future of your state and the nation…”
#WATCH | Delhi: Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar says, “17.4 crore electors, roughly, also comprise the continent of Australia, France, South Africa, Germany and Canada. We will also see our guests from more than 20 countries from their electoral commissions who will be… pic.twitter.com/Q7DA6hxjYR
— ANI (@ANI) March 15, 2026
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar says, “The festival of elections, our pride, is going to be held in the state of Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and the Union Territory of Puducherry. The total electors are 17.4 crores, and the assembly constituencies are 824. The number of polling stations is roughly 2.19 lakhs, and the electoral machinery would consist of roughly 25 lakh personnel. The end of term of Assam assembly is on 20th May, Kerala is on 23rd May, Puducherry is on 15th June, Tamil Nadu is on 10th May and West Bengal is on 7th May…”
Key Political Contests Across States
The elections are expected to see several major political battles:
- West Bengal (294 seats): The ruling All India Trinamool Congress led by Mamata Banerjee will face a strong challenge from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
- Assam (126 seats): The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government will compete against the Indian National Congress and its allies.
- Kerala (140 seats): The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) will take on the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF), with the BJP-led NDA also fielding candidates in a large number of seats.
- Tamil Nadu (234 seats): Political parties are intensifying campaigns and finalising seat-sharing arrangements within their alliances.
- Puducherry (30 seats): The Indian National Congress, allied with Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the Communist Party of India, will face a rival alliance comprising the All India N.R. Congress, BJP and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.
Central Observers Deployed
To ensure free and fair elections, the Election Commission has deployed Central Observers across the states and the Union Territory. These appointments are made under Article 324 of the Constitution of India and Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 to monitor the election process at the ground level.
With the dates now officially announced, political parties are expected to intensify campaigning across the five states and Puducherry in the lead-up to the polls.
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