State Elections 2026: Five States Go to Polls in March-April
West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam, and Puducherry gear up for assembly elections. Here's a comprehensive guide to the electoral battle.
The Election Commission of India has announced the schedule for assembly elections in five states and one union territory. The polls will be conducted in multiple phases from March 15 to April 20, 2026, with results declared on April 25.
Election Schedule
| State/UT | Phases | Polling Dates | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Bengal | 8 | Mar 15 - Apr 15 | 294 |
| Tamil Nadu | 1 | Apr 6 | 234 |
| Kerala | 1 | Apr 6 | 140 |
| Assam | 3 | Mar 27 - Apr 6 | 126 |
| Puducherry | 1 | Apr 6 | 30 |
West Bengal: The Big Fight
The battle in West Bengal is set to be the most closely watched. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress faces a resurgent BJP and a revived Congress-Left alliance.
Key Issues:
- Law and order situation
- Employment generation
- Post-poll violence from previous elections
- Development vs identity politics
Key Constituencies: Nandigram, Singur, and Kolkata seats remain focal points with high-profile candidates.
Tamil Nadu: AIADMK vs DMK
The southern state continues its traditional bipolar contest between the DMK-led alliance and AIADMK-led NDA.
Key Issues:
- NEET controversy and education policy
- Water sharing disputes
- Industrial investment and jobs
- Dravidian identity politics
Kerala: LDF Seeks Second Term
The LDF government led by CM Pinarayi Vijayan seeks to create history by becoming the first government to return to power in Kerala in four decades.
Key Issues:
- Gold smuggling case
- COVID-19 management legacy
- SilverLine rail project controversy
- Sabarimala temple issue
Assam: BJP's Northeast Bastion
The BJP government under Himanta Biswa Sarma seeks re-election while opposition Congress aims to reclaim its traditional stronghold.
Key Issues:
- NRC and CAA implementation
- Flood management
- Tea garden worker welfare
- Border disputes with Mizoram
Model Code of Conduct
The Model Code of Conduct came into effect from February 28. Key restrictions include:
- No new project announcements by incumbent governments
- No use of official machinery for campaigning
- Restrictions on hate speech and communal appeals
- Expenditure limits of ₹40 lakh per candidate
What's at Stake
These elections will be crucial indicators of:
- BJP's expansion strategy in the East and South
- Regional parties' relevance in national politics
- Opposition unity experiments
- Impact of national issues on state elections
Voter Demographics
With over 18 crore eligible voters, including a significant chunk of first-time voters, the elections will test political parties' ability to connect with the youth.
The Election Commission has assured foolproof arrangements with enhanced VVPAT deployment and robust security measures.
Tags
electionsstate electionsWest BengalTamil NaduKeralaAssamvoting
Category
politics
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