West Bengal will vote in two phases on April 23 and April 29, reflecting the state’s large electorate and complex security requirements. The contest is expected to be intense as the ruling camp led by Mamata Banerjee faces a strong challenge from the Bharatiya Janata Party.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi, March 15, 2026: The Election Commission of India on Sunday announced the schedule for the 2026 assembly elections in West Bengal, Kerala, Assam and the Union Territory of Puducherry, setting the stage for a high-stakes political contest across key regions of the country.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said West Bengal will vote in two phases on April 23 and April 29, while Kerala, Assam and Puducherry will go to the polls in a single phase on April 9. Votes for all four assemblies will be counted on May 4.
Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Kumar said the Commission was committed to ensuring inclusive and fair elections.
“In accordance with Article 326 of the Constitution, no eligible voter should be excluded and no ineligible voter should be included,” he said, underscoring the Commission’s focus on maintaining accurate electoral rolls.
West Bengal — a state known for its fiercely competitive politics — will see phased polling to ensure smooth election management across its large electorate and geographically diverse regions, from metropolitan Kolkata to the remote Sundarbans delta.
Kerala, Assam and Puducherry will hold their elections in a single phase, a schedule that officials said would allow smoother deployment of polling staff and security forces.
#WATCH | During the election preparations, the Commission consulted all recognised political parties for suggestions and met district electoral officers, SPS, IGs, DIGs, and nodal officers of enforcement agencies. It also held discussions with chief electoral officers, chief… pic.twitter.com/boMTf12lEj
— DD News (@DDNewslive) March 15, 2026
The Chief Election Commissioner also outlined measures to improve voter facilities at polling stations. Every booth, he said, will be equipped with drinking water, toilets, signage, ramps, wheelchairs with volunteers, help desks, voter facilitation centres and proper lighting inside voting compartments. Special arrangements will also be made for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
The announcement immediately triggered political activity across the four regions. In West Bengal, the ruling Trinamool Congress led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is expected to face a strong challenge from the Bharatiya Janata Party, which has expanded its presence in the state over the past decade.
In Kerala, the Left Democratic Front government will seek to retain power against the opposition United Democratic Front led by the Indian National Congress.
READ: Mamata Rains Poll Sops Hours Before Election Code Kicks In
Assam’s election will be closely watched as the BJP government under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma seeks another mandate amid ongoing debates over citizenship policies and development.
Meanwhile, Puducherry — known for frequent political shifts and coalition governments — is expected to witness a multi-cornered contest.
The Model Code of Conduct has come into force immediately, restricting governments and political parties from announcing new schemes, transfers or policy decisions that could influence voters. Election officials said monitoring teams will be deployed to ensure strict compliance.
The Commission also reiterated its focus on strengthening the transparency of the voting process through the continued use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) systems.
With campaign season now underway, the elections are expected to trigger intense political battles that could reshape regional power equations in the months ahead.
🗳️ 2026 Assembly Election Schedule
| State / UT | Polling Date(s) | Phases | Result Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Bengal | April 23, April 29 | 2 Phases | May 4 |
| Kerala | April 9 | Single Phase | May 4 |
| Assam | April 9 | Single Phase | May 4 |
| Puducherry | April 9 | Single Phase | May 4 |
