Election dates for the eagerly awaited 2026 Assembly polls have been officially announced by the Election Commission of India. This announcement marks the beginning of a high-stakes political battle across several key states and union territories. The Model Code of Conduct is now in effect, shifting the nation into full election mode. Voters are eagerly checking the calendars to see when they will head to the booths. Political parties have already intensified their campaigns to win over the public. This year’s schedule reflects a strategic attempt to ensure a peaceful and organised voting process.
Assembly Election Dates 2026: A Detailed Roadmap for Voters
Election dates for the 2026 cycle cover West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Keralam, Assam, and Puducherry. The Election Commission has staggered the polling to manage security and logistics effectively. Most states will conclude their voting in a single day to maintain momentum. However, larger regions require more complex planning to handle the massive voter turnout. Counting for all these legislative assemblies will take place on May 4, 2026. This unified result day ensures that the political landscape across India is reshaped all at once.
Following the official announcement by the Election Commission of India on March 15, 2026, here is the summary of the election dates for all states and union territories going to the polls this year.
Quick View: 2026 Assembly Election Dates
| State / UT | Voting Date(s) | Polling Phases | Counting Date |
| Assam | April 9, 2026 | Single Phase | May 4, 2026 |
| Keralam | April 9, 2026 | Single Phase | May 4, 2026 |
| Puducherry | April 9, 2026 | Single Phase | May 4, 2026 |
| Tamil Nadu | April 23, 2026 | Single Phase | May 4, 2026 |
| West Bengal | April 23 & 29, 2026 | Two Phases | May 4, 2026 |
West Bengal Election Dates District-Wise 2026
Election dates for West Bengal are split into two distinct phases to manage the state’s 294 seats. The first phase of voting will occur on April 23, 2026, covering 152 constituencies. This phase includes major districts like Cooch Behar, Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri, and Malda. Afterwards, the second phase will take place on April 29, 2026, for the remaining 142 seats. This round includes the high-profile Kolkata election dates, where the state capital will cast its ballots. Transitioning from the northern districts to the southern heartland allows security forces to move efficiently. The reduction from the previous eight phases to just two has become a major talking point this season.
Based on the official announcement by the Election Commission on March 15, 2026, the West Bengal Assembly elections will be conducted in two phases. This is a significant reduction from the eight phases held in 2021. Approximately 17.4 crore registered voters are eligible to participate across these regions. West Bengal is the only state where the election dates are split into multiple phases this year:
- Phase I (April 23, 2026): 152 Constituencies (covering North Bengal and southern border districts).
- Phase II (April 29, 2026): 142 Constituencies (including Kolkata election dates, Hooghly, and Howrah).
Below is the district-wise breakdown for the upcoming election dates:
| Phase | Polling Date | Districts Covered |
| Phase I | April 23, 2026 | Cooch Behar, Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong, Darjeeling, Uttar Dinajpur, Dakshin Dinajpur, Malda, Murshidabad, Nadia, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Purba Medinipur, Paschim Medinipur, Jhargram, Bankura |
| Phase II | April 29, 2026 | Kolkata, Purulia, Birbhum, Hooghly, Paschim Bardhaman, Purba Bardhaman, Howrah |
Important Dates to Remember
- Counting of Votes: May 4, 2026
- Total Seats: 294
- Majority Mark: 148
- Model Code of Conduct: Currently in effect (since March 15, 2026)
Action of the Election Commission of India
The Election Commission has emphasised that the reduction in phases was decided to ensure a more convenient and streamlined process for voters and security personnel alike. Following the announcement of the West Bengal Assembly elections, the Election Commission of India has made a major reshuffle. The Commission has appointed Siddhnath Gupta as the new Director General of Police (DGP) of West Bengal, replacing Piyush Pandey. Additionally, Ajay Kumar Nanda has been appointed the new Police Commissioner of Kolkata, replacing Supratim Sarkar.
Earlier on Sunday night, the Commission ordered the transfer of West Bengal Chief Secretary Nandini Chakraborty and the state’s Home Secretary, Jagdish Prasad Meena. The Commission also ordered that neither would be involved in any election-related work. Dushyant Nariyala replaced Chakraborty, while Sanghamitra Ghosh replaced Meena.
History of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and Controversies
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a rigorous process conducted by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to verify and update the electoral rolls. Unlike summary revisions, the SIR involves deep-level door-to-door verification by Booth Level Officers (BLOs). Its primary goal is to eliminate duplicate entries, remove deceased voters, and include first-time eligible citizens.
The 2025-2026 SIR Controversy
The recent SIR exercise ahead of the 2026 elections became a flashpoint for political and legal battles. In West Bengal, the process led to a significant “shrunk” electoral roll, with nearly 1.22 crore names removed or placed under adjudication.
- Political Allegations: The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) accused the ECI of “vote theft” and minority harassment. They claimed the exercise was a back-door attempt to implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
- Opposition Stance: On the other hand, the BJP alleged that previous rolls were inflated with “infiltrators” and immigrants without papers. They welcomed the deletions as a step toward “purity” in the democratic process.
- Supreme Court Intervention: The controversy reached the Supreme Court when disputes arose between the West Bengal government and the ECI regarding the verification of 60 lakh “unmapped” voters. The Court ultimately ordered the deployment of judicial officers to oversee the adjudication process.
- Public Panic: The linkage required for the SIR—tracing names back to “legacy documents” or older rolls—caused widespread anxiety. Reports indicated that fear of deportation led to protests and even cases of self-harm in border districts.
Despite the friction, the ECI maintains that the SIR is essential for maintaining the integrity of the “festival of democracy.” With the final rolls now published, the focus shifts from the list to the ballot box.
Election Date 2026 Tamil Nadu
Election dates for Tamil Nadu have been set for a single-phase showdown on April 23, 2026. All 234 assembly constituencies will go to the polls simultaneously on Tuesday. The state has a massive registered voter base of over 5.6 crore citizens. Officials have streamlined the process to ensure that polling remains smooth across all 38 districts. Moreover, political heavyweights are already battling for dominance in Chennai and the surrounding rural belts. This single-day event is expected to see a high voter turnout as residents decide the next five years of governance.