2026 Assembly elections schedule: Dates for Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry
The 2026 Assembly elections will be held in four States and one Union Territory in India. Around 17.4 crore voters will participate in the democratic process in the elections covering 824 constituencies. The voting process will involve 2.18 lakh polling booths manned by around 2.5 million election officials.
Model Code of Conduct Since the Election Commission assumed responsibility, it came into force in the states going to the polls immediately after the election dates were announced.
To know more about election updates and highlights, visit The Hindu’s election page.
Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming election calendar and the states involved.
1. Assam election schedule (Total Assembly constituencies: 126)
Assam is gearing up for a heated electoral contest between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and opposition parties including Congress, AGP, AIUDF and UPPL. While the Congress has been in opposition for the last decade, the BJP has been in power for two consecutive terms. Sarbananda Sonowal served as the Prime Minister in the first term and was followed by Himanta Biswa Sarma in the second term. The BJP will campaign with Mr. Sarma once again leading the charge.
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As many as 31,486 polling stations have been set up in the northeastern state to conduct the Assembly elections. Of the 126 Assembly seats, nine are reserved for Scheduled Castes and 19 are reserved for Scheduled Tribes. The notification stated that around 2.50 crore voters will cast their votes in the 2026 assembly polls.
The full schedule for the 2026 Assam Assembly elections is as follows:
Notice of publication date of the newspaper: March 16, 2026
Deadline for nomination: March 23, 2026
Review date of nominations: March 24, 2026
Deadline for withdrawal of nominations: March 26, 2026
Survey date: April 9, 2026
Counting of votes: May 4, 2026
2. West Bengal election schedule (Total Assembly constituencies: 294)
Elections in West Bengal will be held in two phases on April 23 and 29; This is a significant reduction from the eight-phase marathon experienced in the previous Assembly elections.
In West Bengal, as the Congress and the Left try to regain lost ground, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is preparing to defend her government from the resurgent BJP.
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The upcoming elections are set for a contentious showdown with the BJP nominating prominent leader Suvendu Adhikari from Bhabanipur. This sets the stage for the rematch of the 2021 match in Nandigram. Mr. Adhikari, a former TMC icon, is also present in Nandigram, adding to the political intrigue.
The complete schedule for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections is as follows:
Stage 1: 152 seats
Publication date of the newspaper advertisement: March 30, 2026
Deadline for nominations: April 6, 2026
Review date of nominations: April 7, 2026
Deadline for withdrawal of nominations: April 9, 2026
Survey date: April 23, 2026
Counting of votes: May 4, 2026
Stage 2: 142 seats
Publication date of the newspaper advertisement: April 2, 2026
Deadline for nominations: April 9, 2026
Review date of nominations: April 10, 2026
Deadline for withdrawal from candidacy: April 13, 2026
Survey Date: April 29, 2026
Counting of votes: May 4, 2026
3. Kerala election calendar (Total Assembly constituencies: 140)
There are major political clashes in the Kerala Assembly elections between three parties: Left Democratic Front (LDF), United Democratic Front (UDF) and BJP. The ruling Left is trying to maintain its position after its poor performance in the last local elections. While the UDF is focusing on regaining power, the BJP is looking to strengthen its stronghold in the state despite emerging as a third force.
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This election will see 2.71 crore registered voters (including 1.31 crore male voters, 1.38 crore female voters and 277 transgender individuals) and a total of 25,231 polling stations. The current term of the Kerala Legislative Assembly will end on May 23, 2026.
The complete schedule for the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections is as follows:
Publication date of the newspaper advertisement: March 16, 2026
Deadline for nomination: March 23, 2026
Review of nominations: March 24, 2026
Deadline for withdrawal: March 26, 2026
Survey date: April 9, 2026
Counting of votes: May 4, 2026
4. Tamil Nadu election calendar (Total Assembly constituencies: 234)
In Tamil Nadu, the DMK faces opposition from the AIADMK, which is now supported by the BJP. In electoral politics, the newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam and Naam Tamizhar Katchi will also play an important role in influencing the tide this time.
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According to electoral rolls, the total number of voters in Tamil Nadu is 5.67 crore. Of the 234 Assembly seats, 44 are reserved for Scheduled Castes and 2 are reserved for Scheduled Tribes.
The full schedule for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections is as follows:
Publication date of the newspaper advertisement: March 30, 2026
Deadline for nomination: April 6, 2026
Review date of nominations: April 7, 2026
Deadline for withdrawal of nominations: April 9, 2026
Survey date: April 23, 2026
Counting of votes: May 4, 2026
5. Puducherry election calendar (Total Assembly constituencies: 30)
Puducherry is currently governed by a coalition led by the All India NR Congress (AINRC), headed by Chief Minister N Rangasamy and with the support of the BJP.
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According to ECI, the Puducherry Assembly polls will see 9.44 lakh registered voters (including 23 lakh first-time voters, 12 lakh disabled voters, 139 third gender and 6,034 senior citizens). The UT has a total of 1099 polling stations for the 2026 Assembly polls.
The full schedule for the 2026 Puducherry Assembly elections is as follows:
Publication date of the newspaper advertisement: March 16, 2026
Deadline for nomination: March 23, 2026
Review of nominations: March 24, 2026
Deadline for withdrawal: March 26, 2026
Voting date: April 9, 2026
Counting of votes: May 4, 2026
