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ECI Set to Announce Poll Dates for Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, Puducherry

The Election Commission of India is likely to announce the schedule for upcoming Assembly elections in West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam, and the Union Territory of Puducherry. The Commission has already conducted a special revision of voter lists and its officials have visited the states to review poll preparedness. Key electoral battles are set between the TMC and BJP in West Bengal, the BJP-led NDA and Congress in Assam, and the LDF and UDF in Kerala. Central Observers have been appointed to oversee the efficient and fair management of the electoral process.

Key Points: ECI to Announce Assembly Election Schedule for 5 States

  • Poll schedule announcement expected Sunday
  • Elections in 4 states & 1 UT
  • Major contests between TMC-BJP, LDF-UDF, BJP-Congress
  • Commission reviewed preparedness in all regions
2 min read

ECI likely to announce Assembly poll schedule for Assam, W Bengal, TN, Kerala, Puducherry

Election Commission to announce poll dates for West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry. Key contests and preparedness reviewed.

"Special intensive revision of the voters' lists... has already been conducted - Election Commission"

New Delhi, March 15

The Election Commission of India is likely to announce the schedule of elections in poll-bound states and a Union Territory on Sunday.

The poll body has convened a press conference at 4 pm.

Assembly elections are set to be held in West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam and Puducherry.

Special intensive revision of the voters' lists in these four states and one union territory has already been conducted, with final electoral rolls published.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had on March 10 visited West Bengal to review poll preparedness in the state. They had also visited the other states which are heading into polls to review poll preparedness.

The total number of seats in West Bengal Legislative Assembly is 294, with the main contest between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). TMC, led by Mamata Banerjee, has been in power in the state since 2011

Assam will witness a fight between the incumbent BJP-led NDA government and Congress for 126 state assembly seats.

In Kerala, the main fight is between the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF) for 140 seats. Meanwhile, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is also in the fray to compete against both alliances. BJP plans to contest around 100 seats in Kerala, while its allies Bharat Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS) and Twenty20 are expected to contest the remaining 40 seats as part of the alliance.

For the 234 seats in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, political parties are ramping up their campaign activities and finalising seat-sharing arrangements within their respective alliances.

Puducherry will hold elections for all 30 constituencies of the 16th Puducherry Legislative Assembly. While the Congress is fighting the polls in an alliance with DMK and CPI, the opposition consisted of All India NR Congress, BJP and AIADMK.

The Election Commission of India reviewed poll preparedness for the upcoming Assembly elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and Pudducherry previously this month.

According to a release, the Election Commission appointed Central Observers under the plenary powers conferred on it by Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, to assist the Commission in the conduct of free and fair polls. They also oversee the efficient and effective management of the electoral process at the field level.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Interesting to see BJP making a serious push in Kerala. Contesting 100 seats is ambitious. The political landscape in the south could see a real shift if they manage to open their account significantly.
P
Priya S
As a Tamilian, I'm more focused on TN. Hope the alliances are finalized soon and we get a clear picture. The campaign promises need to be about development, not freebies. Our state needs job creation and industrial growth.
R
Rohit P
Good that the electoral rolls have been revised. That's the first step for a clean election. The EC observers have a tough job ahead in some of these states. All the best to them!
M
Meera T
While I appreciate the EC's efforts, I have a respectful criticism. The model code of conduct should be enforced more strictly from day one. Too often, big parties find loopholes for massive rallies and spending that skew the playing field.
V
Vikram M
Assam is going to be a direct BJP vs Congress fight again. The performance on issues like the NRC and CAA will be tested at the ballot box. It's a crucial state for national politics as well.
K
Kavya N
Puducherry often gets overlooked in these big state elections! Interesting alliance there with Congress-DMK-C

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