The Election Commission of India on Sunday, March 15, announced that the Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and the union territory of Puducherry will be held in one phase, while West Bengal will conduct its polls in two phases.
Assam, Kerala and Puducherry will go to polls on April 9, while Tamil Nadu will go to polls on April 23. Phase one of the Bengal polls, with 152 constituencies, will be held on April 23, and Phase two of the polls with 142 constituencies will be conducted on April 29.
Counting for all 824 seats across four states and one Union Territory will be conducted on May 4.
By-elections in Goa, Karnataka, Nagaland and Tripura will be held on April 9 and on April 23 in Maharashtra and Gujarat.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said the elections must be free of violence or inducement and the EC will take strong action against any violation.
The model code of conduct has come into effect immediately with the announcement of the poll schedule.
Election dates for West Bengal
The Gazette notification for Phase one of the West Bengal polls will be issued on March 30, while Phase two will be notified on April 2.
Last day for filing nominations is April 6, for phase one and April 9 for phase two. The nominations will be scrutinised the next day.
Last date to withdraw candidature is April 9 for Phase one and April 13 for Phase two. Elections must be completed before May 6.
West Bengal has a total 294 assembly seats where TMC leader Mamata Banerjee has been serving as been in power since 2011.
Total number of electors as per the electoral rolls are 6,45,61,152.
Election dates for Tamil Nadu
The Gazette notification will be issued on March 30 and nominations will be accepted till April 6.
Nominations will be scrutinised on April 7 and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is April 9.
Tamil Nadu has a total of 234 assembly seats where DMK leader M K Stalin has been the chief minister since May 7, 2021.
Total number of electors as per the electoral rolls are 5,67,74,436.
Election dates for Kerala
The Gazette notification will be issued on March 16 and nominations will be accepted till March 23.
Nominations will be scrutinised on March 24, and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is March 26.
Kerala has a total assembly seats of 140 where Left leader Pinarayi Vijayan has been the chief minister since 2016, leading the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government.
Total number of electors as per the electoral rolls are 2,71,06,059.
Election dates for Assam
The Gazette notification will be issued on March 16 and nominations will be accepted till March 23.
Nominations will be scrutinised on March 24 and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is March 26.
In Assam, there are 126 assembly seats and the BJP has been in power in the Northeastern state since 2016 and Himanta Biswa Sarma has been the chief minister since 2021.
Total number of electors as per the electoral rolls are 2,50,21,408.
Election dates for Puducherry
The Gazette notification will be issued on March 16 and nominations will be accepted till March 23.
Nominations will be scrutinised on March 24 and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is March 26.
Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy has been in power since 2021. The UT has a total of 33 seats. This includes three members nominated by the Centre.
Total number of electors as per the electoral rolls are 9,44,539.
(With inputs from PTI.)
