Election Commission Unveils Poll Schedule for Five Key States; Model Code of Conduct Comes Into Force Immediately
New Delhi: The Election Commission of India has officially announced the schedule for the 2026 Assembly elections in five major states and union territories, including West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry, setting the stage for one of the biggest political contests of the year.
With the announcement of the election schedule, the Model Code of Conduct has come into immediate effect in all five states and the Union Territory, regulating government announcements, transfers, and political campaigning.
The terms of all five legislative assemblies are scheduled to end in May 2026, prompting the Election Commission to initiate the electoral process well in advance.
Polling Dates for Five States Announced
According to the schedule released by the Election Commission, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry will go to polls on April 9.
The politically crucial state of Tamil Nadu will vote on April 23, while West Bengal will witness a two-phase election on April 23 and April 29.
The counting of votes for all five states will take place on May 4, 2026, when the results will determine the next governments in these regions.
Model Code of Conduct Comes Into Effect
Officials confirmed that the Model Code of Conduct came into force immediately after the Election Commission’s press conference announcing the schedule. The code imposes restrictions on political parties and governments, ensuring a level playing field during the election period.
The entire election process is expected to be completed between April and early May, ahead of the expiry of the current legislative assemblies.
Comparison With 2021 Elections
In the previous round of elections held in 2021, the Election Commission had announced the poll schedule on February 26.
Notably, the West Bengal Assembly election in 2021 was conducted in eight phases, making it one of the longest electoral exercises in recent years. In contrast, the 2026 election in the state will be held in two phases, significantly reducing the duration of the polling process.
Political parties across the five regions are now expected to intensify campaigning, finalize candidates and mobilize voters as the countdown to the elections begins.
