EC Announces Poll Dates for Five States; Bengal to Vote in Two Phases

The Election Commission of India on Sunday announced the schedule for Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and the Union Territory of Puducherry, with vote counting set for May 4, 2026. Assam, Kerala and Puducherry will go to polls on April 9, while Tamil Nadu will vote on April 23. In West Bengal, the election will take place in two phases- April 23 and April 29. With the declaration of the poll dates, the Model Code of Conduct has come into force in all the poll-bound regions.

The announcement was made at a press briefing by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi. Kumar said the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls was conducted in line with Article 326 of the Constitution to ensure only eligible voters remain on the rolls. He emphasised that maintaining accurate and clean electoral rolls forms the foundation of a strong democracy.