Election dates 2026: EC announces poll dates for five assemblies; West Bengal in two phases

The Election Commission of India on Monday announced the schedule for assembly elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and the Union Territory of Puducherry, setting the stage for a major electoral exercise involving around 17.4 crore electors.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, the poll panel said elections in the five regions would be conducted in April, with counting of votes on May 4, 2026.

The Commission said it had recently visited all poll-bound states to review preparedness, holding consultations with political parties, district election officers, enforcement agencies and other officials. It also interacted with booth level officers (BLOs) who carried out the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, and met young voters and voter awareness icons.

The SIR exercise was undertaken to ensure “pure electoral rolls so that no eligible voter is left out and no ineligible voter remains on the list,” the Commission said.

Calling elections in India a “festival of democracy”, the EC said the five states and the Union Territory reflect the cultural richness and diversity of the country.

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More than 20 countries are expected to send observers to witness the Indian electoral process, the Commission added, reiterating its commitment to ensure free, fair, transparent, accessible and peaceful elections.

State-wise Election Schedule