LIVE: Kerala, Assam, Puducherry to vote on April 9; TN on April 23; Bengal on April 23 and 29
Results will be announced on May 4 for all the four states and one Union Territory; Model Code of Conduct sets in
The Election Commission on Sunday (March 15) announced the dates for Assembly elections in four states and a Union Territory. Polls are scheduled in West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam, and Puducherry.
The poll panel held a press conference to reveal the election schedule. The terms of the legislative assemblies in these regions are set to expire on different dates in May and June.
Assam - Voting on April 9, Thursday.
Kerala - Voting on April 9, Thursday.
Puducherry - Voting on April 9, Thursday.
Tamil Nadu - Voting on April 23, Thursday.
West Bengal - Voting across 2 phases.
Phase 1 - April 23, Thursday, for 152 seats.
Phase 2 - April 29, Wednesday, for 142 seats.
Counting for all four states and one UT on May 4, Thursday.
As part of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter lists, the final electoral rolls for the four states and Puducherry have already been published.
Earlier this week, on Wednesday (March 11), the Election Commission held a key meeting in New Delhi to finalise the election schedule and phase-wise polling plan. The poll body also conducted a final ground-level review in the poll-bound areas.
Read the live updates below
Live Updates
- 15 March 2026 6:01 PM IST
Kerala CM Vijayan to contest 2026 elections from Dharmadam, confirms CPI(M)
The Communist Party of India (Marxist), which leads Kerala's Left Democratic Front, has announced that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will contest the April 9 Assembly elections from his constituency of Dharmadam, which he won in the 2016 and 2021 battles. Ten of his cabinet colleagues will also be in the fray.
Vijayan, who is eyeing his third consecutive term as the CM, won the seat, which falls under the Kannur Lok Sabha constituency, by more than 50,000 votes in the 2021 elections and by nearly 37,000 votes in 2016.
The CPI(M) also said that senior leader K K Shailaja will contest from Peravoor constituency in Kannur. The seat has been won by the Congress's Sunny Joseph for three consecutive times (2011, 2016 and 2021).
CPI(M)'s Kerala State Secretary M V Govindan released the list of 81 candidates, including six party-backed independents during a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.
- 15 March 2026 5:58 PM IST
TVK: Will Vijay punch above his weight?
Actor Vijay entered politics amid high expectations from his vast fan base. However, the Karur stampede shifted the spotlight to safety concerns, prompting the state government to frame SOPs for political rallies.
Nearly five months after the tragedy, Vijay — who is also facing a CBI probe related to the incident — is currently interviewing candidates of his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam for the upcoming Assembly election. The party, making its electoral debut, has declared the contest to be mainly between TVK and the DMK.
Strengths:
- Vijay’s charisma, massive fan base and appeal among young voters.
- Ideological pitch centred on social justice, an egalitarian society and the two-language policy, aligning with Tamil Nadu’s Dravidian political discourse.
- Announcement of “Super Six” welfare promises, including free LPG cylinders and financial aid for women.
Weaknesses:
- Vijay is a political novice and is often criticised for delivering speeches in a film-style tone.
- The party currently depends heavily on him as its lone star campaigner.
- TVK gatherings often attract large fan crowds, sometimes leading to accidents and negative publicity.
Opportunities:
- Attempt to fill the perceived vacuum for a strong alternative to the DMK and AIADMK.
- Focus on young and tech-savvy voters, especially those disillusioned with the traditional Dravidian parties.
Threats:
- The Karur tragedy remains a setback that could affect TVK’s electoral prospects.
- Vijay has chosen to contest the election without alliances.
- The party faces stiff competition from the well-organised DMK and AIADMK.
- 15 March 2026 5:51 PM IST
8 Assembly by-elections, including in Ajit Pawar's Baramati, between April 9-23
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said besides the Assembly elections in four states and one Union Territory, bypolls will also be held to five Assembly seats in the states of Goa, Karnataka, Nagaland and Tripura on April 9 and in three constituencies of Gujarat and Maharashtra on April 23.
Addressing a press conference for announcement of poll schedule, Kumar said the counting of votes for bye-elections will be held on May 4 for all eight constituencies.
The bypolls in all eight constituencies were necessitated due to death of sitting MLAs.
The eight constituencies are: Ponda in Goa, Bagalkot and Davnagere South in Karnataka, Koridang in Nagaland, Dharmanagar in Tripura, Umreth in Gujarat, and Rahuri and Baramati in Maharashtra.
The Baramati seat became vacant following the death of Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash in January.
- 15 March 2026 5:46 PM IST
Akhilesh Yadav says BJP will lose Bengal elections
Samajwadi Party (SP) president and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will fail in the West Bengal Assembly elections to be held in April and expressed confidence that Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee will remain the state's chief minister.
Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Yadav confirmed the SP's support for the Opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance partners in four states, including Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, where the ensuing elections will take place between April 9 and 29.
"We are asking for a seat in Assam, and even if that doesn't happen, we will support INDI allies," he said. His party is exploring plans to expand in the northeastern state.
Yadav also urged the Election Commission to ensure free and fair elections and ensure it doesn't become a puppet in the hands of the Centre. He lauded the voters of Bengal for supporting Mamata and said the people won't forget the Central government's discrimination or mismanagement.
Read here: In Bengal, can Rahul, Priyanka go beyond 'measured aggression’ against Mamata?
- 15 March 2026 5:41 PM IST
'Countdown to end Mahajungle Raj starts': Bengal BJP after poll schedule announced
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is eyeing to dethrone West Bengal's Trinamool Congress government in this year's election, said after the poll schedule came out that it is "not merely an election but a civilisational battle".
In a post on X, it said, "On 23rd and 29th April, the people of West Bengal will cast their vote in two phases to reclaim their future. The countdown to the end of Mahajungle Raj has begun.
"50 days to go — 4th May will mark a new dawn for Bengal."
Bengal will see a two-phase election, on April 24 and April 29, when 152 and 142 seats will go to the polls, respectively.
The TMC, which came to power for the first time in 2011, ending the 34-year rule of the Left, is seeking its fourth successive term in 2026.
This is not merely an election, it is a civilisational battle.
— BJP West Bengal (@BJP4Bengal) March 15, 2026
On 23rd and 29th April, the people of West Bengal will cast their vote in two phases to reclaim their future.
The countdown to the end of Mahajungle Raj has begun.
50 days to go — 4th May will mark a new dawn for… pic.twitter.com/lTTduzc5sI - 15 March 2026 5:39 PM IST
Stalin confident of second term
Long-time ally Congress may have sought a larger seat share for the April 23 Assembly election, but DMK president and Chief Minister MK Stalin finalised the pact, preventing a split in the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance.
The move also left rival AIADMK, which had predicted cracks in the alliance, on the back foot. Stalin has also inducted former AIADMK leaders, including former chief minister O Panneerselvam, in a bid to consolidate votes in southern Tamil Nadu.
Strengths:
- Stalin promotes the ‘Dravidian model’, projecting himself as a champion of social justice and state autonomy.
- Popular welfare schemes such as free bus travel and monthly aid for women heads of households.
- Campaigns portraying the BJP-AIADMK tie-up as an alliance of compulsion.
- Strong backing from allies — Congress, MDMK, VCK and Left parties.
- Assertive stance against the Centre, including a panel on Union-State relations.
Weaknesses:
- Allegations of dynasty politics.
- Deputy CM Udayanidhi Stalin’s remarks often trigger backlash.
- Corruption allegations against some ministers and ongoing probes.
Opportunities:
- Push for industrial investments and jobs to attract young voters.
- Emphasis on Tamil identity and state autonomy.
- Tamil Nadu Shipbuilding Policy 2026 to strengthen the maritime sector.
- Support from Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah for TN’s Union-State relations panel report.
- Stalin contrasts TN’s inclusive development model with BJP-ruled states.
Threats:
- Actor Vijay’s political entry could dent the DMK’s vote base.
- Opposition continues to flag unfulfilled promises such as scrapping NEET and petrol subsidy.
- 15 March 2026 5:32 PM IST
When are the current Assembly terms ending in 4 poll-bound states and 1 UT?
The current Legislative Assembly terms for West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, and Kerala, along with the Union Territory of Puducherry, are set to expire between May 7 and June 15, 2026.
The current terms end on:
West Bengal: May 7
Tamil Nadu: May 10
Assam: May 20
Kerala: May 23
Puducherry: June 15
- 15 March 2026 5:29 PM IST
Crimes against women, failed poll promises, debt crisis dominate TN Assembly polls
Rising crimes against women, unfulfilled poll promises and the debt crisis are expected to dominate the 2026 Assembly election in Tamil Nadu, even as the ruling DMK banks on its welfare schemes and investments to seek a second consecutive term.
In the outgoing Assembly, the DMK holds 132 seats, while the main Opposition AIADMK has 60.
Opposition parties including the AIADMK, BJP, PMK and Vijay-led TVK have also raised issues such as alleged corruption involving ministers, illegal sand mining, the drug menace and accusations of dynasty politics.
The DMK, AIADMK and TVK have all announced generous welfare promises, particularly for women voters. While the DMK has pledged to double the monthly assistance to women heads of families to ₹2,000, the AIADMK has promised the same amount if voted to power. The TVK has proposed ₹2,500 a month for women heads of households up to the age of 60, excluding government employees.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin recently said that while BJP-ruled states were distracted by communal polarisation and regressive politics, Tamil Nadu remained committed to rationalism, social justice and inclusive development.
Meanwhile, Naam Tamilar Katchi leader Seeman and V.K. Sasikala — a former AIADMK leader and close aide of late Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa who has launched the All India Puratchi Thalaivar Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam — are expected to challenge the Dravidian majors in what could be a multi-cornered contest.
- 15 March 2026 5:28 PM IST
'Voting to be held at 2.19L polling stations, 25L officials to be on duty'
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said the upcoming elections in four states and one Union Territory will be held at 2.19 lakh polling stations and 25 lakh election officials to be on duty. He said this while announcing the schedule for the elections. While Assam, Kerala and Puducherry (UT) will go to polls on April 9, Tamil Nadu will host elections on April 23. West Bengal will witness a two-phase election on April 23 and 29. The results in all the states and the UT will be announced on May 4.
- 15 March 2026 5:24 PM IST
Between 750-900 electors per booth across 5 poll-bound states, UT: CEC
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said the average number of electors per polling station is 750-900 across the poll-bound states of Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, and the Union Territory of Puducherry.
Announcing the schedule for the elections in the four states and the UT, he also praised the booth-level officers for their efforts during the Special Intensive Revision of voter lists.
