EC Announces 2026 Assembly Poll Schedule: Bengal 2-Phase, Key States Vote in April

Election Commission Unveils 2026 Assembly Poll Schedule for Key States

The Election Commission of India has officially announced the comprehensive schedule for the highly anticipated 2026 Assembly elections in four states and one union territory. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alongside Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, detailed the polling dates during a press conference in New Delhi on Sunday.

Polling Phases and Key Dates

West Bengal will witness a significantly condensed polling process compared to previous elections, with voting scheduled in just two phases: April 23 and April 29. This marks a sharp reduction from the eight-phase election held in 2021. In contrast, Assam, Kerala, and the union territory of Puducherry will all vote in a single phase on April 9. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu is set to go to the polls on April 23. The results for all these elections will be declared uniformly on May 4.

Immediate Implementation of Model Code of Conduct

With the announcement, the model code of conduct has come into immediate effect across the poll-bound regions. This regulatory framework aims to ensure fair campaigning and electoral practices.

Background of Special Intensive Revision (SIR)

These Assembly elections are being conducted against the backdrop of the controversial Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The SIR was carried out between December 2025 and February 2026 in West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry, with Assam undergoing a separate special revision. This process has led to significant changes in voter lists:

Tamil Nadu: 74 lakh voters deleted.
West Bengal: 62 lakh voters deleted, with an additional 60 lakh names placed under judicial adjudication.
Kerala: 8.5 lakh voters deleted.

Assembly Bypolls Across Six States

In addition to the state elections, Assembly bypolls for eight seats across six states will also be held next month, with results announced on May 4. These bypolls have been necessitated by the deaths of sitting MLAs. Key contests include:

April 23: Maharashtra's Baramati and Rahuri seats, and Gujarat's Umreth.
April 9: Goa's Ponda, Tripura's Dharmanagar, Nagaland's Koridang, and Karnataka's Bagalkot and Davangere South.

The Baramati seat is particularly significant following the tragic death of NCP chief Ajit Pawar in a plane crash on January 28.

Detailed Breakdown of West Bengal Polling

Of West Bengal's 294 Assembly seats, 152 will vote in the first phase on April 23, while the remaining 142 will vote on April 29. Notably, most constituencies bordering Bangladesh, including Murshidabad, Malda, Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling, Uttar Dinajpur, and Dakshin Dinajpur, are scheduled for polling on April 23.

EC's Response to Key Concerns

Addressing queries, CEC Gyanesh Kumar provided assurances on several critical issues:

Judicial Adjudication: Voters under judicial adjudication in West Bengal will be included in electoral rolls via a supplementary list released by judicial officers, though the timeline is case-specific.
Election Violence: Kumar emphasized zero tolerance for violence, stating strict action will be taken against any incidents reported to the EC.
Reduced Polling Phases: The decision to cut phases in West Bengal and Assam was made after detailed discussions with political parties to enhance voter convenience and address security concerns.
Deepfake and AI Content: Arrangements will be made to file FIRs against deepfake or AI-generated videos during campaigning.

Political Context and Tenure Details

The CEC declined to comment on allegations of bias towards the ruling BJP or a parliamentary notice for his removal, citing the EC's policy against political statements. The elections coincide with the end of Assembly tenures: