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 5:17 PM IST
Watch CEC's announcement and press conference
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the polling schedule for the upcoming Assembly elections in four states and one Union Territory — Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry. Assam, Kerala and Puducherry will go to the polls on April 9, while Tamil Nadu will vote on April 23. Elections in West Bengal will take place in two phases - April 23 and April 29. The counting of votes for all four states and UT will take place on May 4.
- 15 March 2026 5:15 PM IST
Watch | Will Assembly 2026 election schedule be a challenge for security forces?
The Election Commission has announced the schedule for Assembly elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry, and the Model Code of Conduct has come into effect.
Polling in Assam, Kerala and Puducherry will be held on April 9, while Tamil Nadu will vote on April 23. West Bengal will go to the polls in two phases on April 23 and April 29. Counting of votes for all states will take place on May 4. By-elections for eight Assembly seats will also be held on April 23.
What does this poll schedule mean for the states and the political parties preparing for the contest? Watch our reporters in conversation with Neelu Vyas on The Federal Capital Beat.
- 15 March 2026 4:33 PM IST
CEC says all elections will be violence- and inducement-free
CEC says all the elections will be violence-free and inducement-free.
- 15 March 2026 4:28 PM IST
Voting dates announced
Assam - Voting on April 9, Thursday. Counting on May 4, Monday
Kerala - Voting on April 9, Thursday. Counting on May 4, Monday
Puducherry - Voting on April 9, Thursday. Counting on May 4, Monday
Tamil Nadu - Voting on April 23, Thursday. Counting on May 4
West Bengal - Voting across 2 phases.
Phase 1 - April 23, Thursday, for 152 seats
Phase 2 - April 29, Wednesday, for 142 seats
Counting on May 4
