New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Sunday announced the schedule for Assembly elections in five states and a Union Territory, setting the stage for a major democratic exercise across the country.
Addressing a press conference, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said polling in Tamil Nadu will be held on April 23, 2026, while the counting of votes will take place on May 4, 2026.
The ECI also announced the poll schedule for Assam, Kerala, West Bengal, and the Union Territory of Puducherry.
Polling in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry will be held on April 9, while votes will be counted on May 4.
In West Bengal, polling will take place in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with counting scheduled for May 4.
The Commission said the elections will involve a large and diverse electorate across the five states and the Union Territory.
Kumar said the total number of electors is about 17.4 crore, covering 824 Assembly constituencies. Around 2.19 lakh polling stations will be set up, and the election process will involve nearly 25 lakh personnel.
He said the Assembly terms of the states are nearing completion, with Assam’s term ending on May 20, Kerala’s on May 23, Tamil Nadu on May 10, West Bengal on May 7, and Puducherry on June 15.
The chief election commissioner also said the electorate includes centenarian voters, first-time voters, and a large number of electors aged between 20 and 29 years. A total of about 2.18 lakh polling stations will be established, most of them in rural areas, with an average of 750 to 850 voters per station.
He said model polling stations will be set up in all states and the Union Territory. Special polling stations managed by women will also be established to improve accessibility and efficiency.
Kumar added that the Commission held extensive consultations with recognised political parties, district election officials, and enforcement agencies while preparing for the elections. Meetings were also held with Chief Electoral Officers, Chief Secretaries, and Directors General of Police of the concerned states and the Union Territory.
He said booth-level officers were recognised for their work in electoral roll management, and the Commission also interacted with young voters and voter awareness campaign representatives.
The chief election commissioner urged young and first-time voters to participate actively in the electoral process. He said voting is one of the most important democratic responsibilities, and citizens should exercise their right with pride and confidence.
