Election Commission Begins Preparations for Assembly Polls in Five States; Dates Likely to Be Announced Next Month

The Election Commission of India has initiated preparations for upcoming assembly elections in five states, including West Bengal. Official visits to these states are expected to commence later this month as part of the pre-election assessment.

Under the leadership of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, the Election Commission will evaluate law and order, administrative arrangements, and other logistical considerations ahead of announcing the election schedule. Sources indicate that election dates for these states are likely to be announced sometime after the first week of March.

States Going to Polls
The assembly elections are scheduled in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry this year. The current legislative assemblies in these states are nearing the end of their respective terms:

• West Bengal (294 seats) – term ends May 7, 2026
• Tamil Nadu (234 seats) – term ends May 10, 2026
• Kerala (140 seats) – term ends May 23, 2026
• Assam (126 seats) – term ends May 20, 2026
• Puducherry (30 seats) – term ends June 15, 2026

The formation of new assemblies is required immediately after the completion of current terms, prompting the Election Commission to start preparations.

Pre-Election Visits and Consultations
The Commission will conduct visits to the five states from February through the first week of March. These visits will include meetings with Chief Secretaries, Directors General of Police (DGPs), Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs), and political party representatives. The goal is to address administrative challenges, assess security measures, and incorporate any valid suggestions from political parties to ensure a smooth electoral process.

For context, the Bihar assembly elections last year took 42 days from announcement to completion. The election schedule was announced on October 6, 2025, and the two-phase polls concluded on November 16, while the assembly term ended on November 22. Following a similar timeline, the Election Commission is expected to announce election dates for the five states after the first week of March.