Delhi, March 15:The Election Commission of India on Sunday announced the schedule for the 2026 Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and the Union Territory of Puducherry.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar announced it in a press conference held today.

According to the poll body, voting will take place on different dates in April. The counting of votes will take place on May 4, when results for all five states and the Union Territory of Puducherry will be declared.

The declaration of results will determine the formation of new governments in these states and the Union Territory following the completion of the electoral process.

According to the poll panel, elections in Assam, Kerala, and the Union Territory of Puducherry will be held in a single phase on April 9. Polling in Tamil Nadu will take place on April 23.

Meanwhile, elections in West Bengal will be conducted in two phases, with voting scheduled for April 23 and April 29. The counting of votes for all states and the Union Territory will take place on May 4, the Commission said.

Bengal Election Dates: The Election Commission of India on Sunday announced that the 2026 Assembly elections in West Bengal will be conducted in two phases on April 23 and April 29.

Election Dates for Keralam: Keralam will vote in single phase on April 9 whereas the counting is on May 4.

Kerala, recently renamed Keralam, will go to the polls in a single phase on April 9, with counting of votes for the 140-member Assembly scheduled for May 4.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Sunday said strict instructions have been issued to enforcement agencies and local authorities to ensure that the upcoming Assembly elections are conducted without inducements or violence.

"Clear directions have been issued to all the enforcement agencies, nearly 24 of them, that elections in these states and UT shall be inducement-free and violence-free. Directions have been issued to the collectors and the SPs that they have to act with complete impartiality and enforce the rule of law," he said.