By Election Commission to Reveal Poll Schedule at 4 PM
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is set to announce the schedule for Assembly elections in five regions — Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and the Union Territory of Puducherry — on Sunday (March 15, 2026).
The poll panel has scheduled a press conference at 4 p.m. where the election dates, phases of voting, and counting schedule are expected to be revealed.
The terms of these Legislative Assemblies are due to expire between May and June 2026, prompting the Commission to initiate the election process.
Electoral Rolls Updated Ahead of Polls
Ahead of the announcement, the ECI completed the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists. Updated electoral rolls for all four states and Puducherry have already been published.
The move aims to ensure that the upcoming elections are conducted with accurate and updated voter data.
Top Election Officials Reviewed Poll Preparedness
Recently appointed Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, conducted visits to poll-bound states to review election preparedness.
The officials held meetings with state authorities, security agencies, and election staff to assess logistics and security arrangements.
Key Political Contests Across States
The upcoming Assembly elections will witness intense political battles across the five regions:
- West Bengal (294 seats): The main contest is expected between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) led by Mamata Banerjee and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
- Assam (126 seats): The BJP-led NDA government faces a challenge from the Congress and its allies.
- Kerala (140 seats): The traditional contest continues between the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF), with the BJP-led NDA also contesting.
- Tamil Nadu (234 seats): Major alliances are finalising seat-sharing arrangements as campaigning gains momentum across the state.
- Puducherry (30 seats): The Congress is contesting in alliance with DMK and CPI, while the opposition bloc includes All India NR Congress, BJP, and AIADMK.
Observers Appointed for Free and Fair Elections
The Election Commission has also appointed Central Observers to oversee the electoral process. According to the Commission, these officials are empowered under Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections.
The observers will monitor the ground-level management of polling operations, coordination among officials, and adherence to election guidelines.
Major Electoral Season Begins
The announcement of poll dates will formally kick off the election season in five politically significant regions, setting the stage for weeks of campaigning before voters head to the polls.
