Election Commission announces Assembly polls in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry; counting on 4 May
The Election Commission of India on 15 March 2026 announced Assembly elections in four States and Puducherry, with polling from 9 to 29 April and counting on 4 May 2026.
Summary
The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced on 15 March 2026 the schedule for general elections to the Legislative Assemblies of Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and the Union Territory of Puducherry. Assam, Kerala and Puducherry vote in a single phase on 9 April, Tamil Nadu on 23 April, and West Bengal in two phases on 23 April and 29 April; votes will be counted on 4 May 2026. The Model Code of Conduct came into force immediately with the announcement. The five Assemblies have 126 (Assam), 140 (Kerala), 234 (Tamil Nadu), 294 (West Bengal) and 30 (Puducherry) seats, and the Commission capped each polling station at 1,200 electors. In its press note, the ECI said it conducts these elections under Article 324 read with Article 172(1) of the Constitution and Section 15 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Bye-elections to eight Assembly seats in Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Nagaland and Tripura were announced along with the schedule.
Key facts
- Announced
- 15 March 2026, Election Commission of India (Press Note ECI/PN/029/2026)
- Poll dates
- Assam, Kerala, Puducherry â 9 April; Tamil Nadu â 23 April; West Bengal â 23 & 29 April
- Counting
- 4 May 2026
- Seats
- Assam 126, Kerala 140, TN 234, WB 294, Puducherry 30
- Electors per polling station
- Maximum 1,200
- Legal basis
- Article 324 read with Article 172(1); Section 15, RP Act 1951
- Model Code of Conduct
- In force from the announcement
- Bye-elections
- 8 Assembly seats in Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Tripura
Practice MCQs 6 questions
In how many phases will the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election be held, as announced by the ECI on 15 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B â Two
West Bengal votes in two phases, on 23 April and 29 April 2026; Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry vote in a single phase.
On which date will votes be counted for the 2026 Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry?
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Correct answer: D â 4 May 2026
Counting for all five Assemblies is scheduled for 4 May 2026.
Which of the following Assemblies going to polls in 2026 has the largest number of seats?
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Correct answer: D â West Bengal
West Bengal has 294 seats, against 234 in Tamil Nadu, 140 in Kerala, 126 in Assam and 30 in Puducherry.
For the 2026 Assembly elections, the Election Commission fixed the maximum number of electors per polling station at:
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Correct answer: B â 1,200
The ECI press note of 15 March 2026 says there shall be a maximum of 1,200 electors in a polling station.
Consider the following about the 2026 Assembly elections announced on 15 March 2026: 1. The ECI conducts them in exercise of powers under Article 324 read with Article 172(1) of the Constitution and Section 15 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. 2. The Model Code of Conduct comes into force only after the formal notification of each phase. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A â 1 only
Statement 1 is correct as per the ECI press note. Statement 2 is wrong: the Model Code of Conduct came into effect immediately from the announcement of the schedule.
Along with the 2026 Assembly elections, the ECI announced bye-elections to how many Assembly constituencies in Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Nagaland and Tripura?
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Correct answer: B â Eight
Bye-elections were announced for 8 Assembly constituencies spread across these six States.