What Happened
- The Election Commission of India (ECI), led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, announced the schedule for 2026 assembly elections on March 15, 2026.
- Elections will be held across 824 constituencies in five states — Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu — and one Union Territory, Puducherry.
- Approximately 17.4 crore eligible voters will participate across more than 2.19 lakh polling stations.
- Polling schedule: Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry on April 9; Tamil Nadu on April 23; West Bengal in two phases — April 23 and April 29.
- Counting of votes across all five states/UT is scheduled for May 4, 2026.
Static Topic Bridges
Election Commission of India — Constitutional Basis (Article 324)
Article 324 of the Constitution vests the superintendence, direction, and control of the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of all elections to Parliament, state legislatures, and offices of the President and Vice-President in the Election Commission of India (ECI). The phrase "conduct of elections" has been interpreted broadly by the Supreme Court to include all powers necessary for free and fair elections, even where no specific legislative provision exists.
- Article 324(1): ECI has superintendence, direction and control over all elections.
- Article 324(2): ECI comprises the Chief Election Commissioner and such number of Election Commissioners as the President may fix — currently three (1 CEC + 2 ECs).
- Articles 324–329 of Part XV cover elections comprehensively.
- The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed only through a process akin to removal of a Supreme Court judge — by Parliament through an address (Article 324(5)).
- The Chief Election Commissioners and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023 restructured the selection committee, removing the Chief Justice of India and adding a Cabinet Minister.
Connection to this news: The ECI invoked its Article 324 powers to announce the poll schedule, simultaneously triggering the Model Code of Conduct across all five states and Puducherry.
Model Code of Conduct (MCC)
The Model Code of Conduct is a set of guidelines evolved through consensus with political parties and issued by the ECI. It comes into force immediately upon announcement of the election schedule and remains operative until the completion of the election process. The MCC has no statutory backing — it is based on the ECI's plenary powers under Article 324 and the consent of political parties.
- MCC prohibits the ruling party from using government machinery, official visits, or public money for electoral purposes.
- It bars announcement of new welfare schemes, policy decisions that could influence voters, or use of official vehicles for campaigning.
- Liquor distribution, bribery, and hate speech are strictly prohibited.
- ECI can invoke Sections 123 and 125 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (corrupt practices) and file FIRs for MCC violations.
- The S. Subramaniam Balaji v. State of Tamil Nadu (2013) SC judgment held that freebies promised in election manifestos do not per se constitute corrupt practice under Section 123(1) of the RP Act, though the matter remains contested.
Connection to this news: With the announcement on March 15, the MCC came into force immediately across Kerala, Assam, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Puducherry — restricting government activities during the election period.
Representation of the People Act, 1951 — State Election Framework
The Representation of the People Act, 1951 governs the conduct of elections to Parliament and state legislatures. It specifies qualification and disqualification of candidates, election offences, and dispute resolution through election petitions before High Courts.
- Section 14: Notification of general elections by the President (for Parliament) or Governor (for state legislatures).
- Section 15: General election to state legislatures — Governor issues writ of election.
- Section 29A: Recognition of political parties by the ECI.
- Section 100: Grounds for declaring an election void (including corrupt practices).
- Section 123: Corrupt practices — bribery, undue influence, promoting enmity, booth capturing.
- Delimitation of constituencies is done by the Delimitation Commission under the Delimitation Act, 2002.
Connection to this news: The election schedule for 824 constituencies across these five states operates within the framework of the RP Act, 1951, with the Governor of each state issuing the writ of election based on ECI's notification.
State-wise Constituency Breakdown
Each state's assembly size is fixed by its legislative framework. The total 824 constituencies across this election cycle reflect the diversity of India's federal polity:
- Tamil Nadu: 234 constituencies (governed by AIADMK/DMK alternately; currently DMK under M.K. Stalin)
- West Bengal: 294 constituencies (currently TMC under Mamata Banerjee; two-phase election)
- Kerala: 140 constituencies (alternates between LDF and UDF governments)
- Assam: 126 constituencies (currently BJP-led coalition)
- Puducherry (UT): 30 constituencies (elections held simultaneously with state elections under the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963)
- Total voters: ~17.4 crore; polling stations: 2.19 lakh+
Connection to this news: The two-phase polling in West Bengal (294 seats) reflects the challenge of managing elections in India's third-most populous state, requiring staggered deployment of central security forces.
Key Facts & Data
- Election announcement date: March 15, 2026 (CEC Gyanesh Kumar)
- Total constituencies: 824 (across 5 states + 1 UT)
- Total eligible voters: ~17.4 crore
- Polling stations: 2.19 lakh+
- Phase 1 (April 9): Kerala (140 seats), Assam (126 seats), Puducherry (30 seats)
- Phase 2 (April 23): Tamil Nadu (234 seats) + West Bengal Phase 1
- Phase 3 (April 29): West Bengal Phase 2
- Results/Counting: May 4, 2026
- Constitutional basis: Article 324 (Part XV of the Constitution)