New Delhi, March 16 – IPU Media Update News: The stage is set for legislative assembly elections in four states and one Union Territory across the country. On Sunday, the Central Election Commission announced the schedule for the assembly elections in West Bengal, Kerala, Assam, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry. Elections in Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry are scheduled to be held in a single phase on April 9. Polling in Tamil Nadu will also take place in a single phase on April 23. However, in West Bengal, the elections will be conducted in two phases, on April 23 and April 29. The election results for all these states are scheduled to be declared on May 4.

Speaking at a media conference, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar announced that elections would be held for a total of 824 legislative assembly seats across these five states and the Union Territory, with 174 million voters expected to cast their ballots. He stated that, over the past year, the Election Commission (EC) has undertaken several measures to enhance transparency in the electoral process. As part of these efforts, he explained that a special “Summary Revision” (SR) of voter lists was conducted to ensure that no ineligible voter remained on the rolls. Furthermore, he informed that mobile phones would be required to be left outside polling stations and could be collected by voters after they had cast their votes. With the announcement of the election schedule, the Model Code of Conduct has come into immediate effect in these states.

** Ballot Counting to Conclude Ahead of EVM Counting**
CEC Gyanesh Kumar stated that several measures have been undertaken to enhance transparency in the vote-counting process. He announced that the counting of postal ballots would be completed at least two rounds before the counting of votes from Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) concludes. He further noted that all election-related statistics would be made available on the ECI website within 72 hours of the counting being finalized. He also confirmed that 100 percent webcasting coverage would be implemented across all polling booths. The tenure of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly is set to expire on May 7, followed by Tamil Nadu on May 10, Assam on May 20, Kerala on May 23, and Puducherry on June 15. There are 6.4 crore voters in Bengal, 5.67 crore in Tamil Nadu, 2.7 crore in Kerala, 2.5 crore in Assam, and 9.44 lakh voters in Puducherry.

CEC Gyanesh Kumar also informed that, alongside the elections in these five states, by-elections for legislative assembly seats would be conducted in several other states. He stated that polling for five assembly seats across Goa, Karnataka, Nagaland, and Tripura would take place on April 9, while polling for three legislative assembly seats in Gujarat and Maharashtra is scheduled for April 23. He announced that the results for these elections would be declared on May 4.

** West Bengal :
Total Seats: 294 | Majority Mark: 148
Results of the Previous Assembly Elections:
TMC: 213 | BJP: 77 | Others: 2
If the Trinamool Congress secures victory in these elections, Mamata Banerjee will be sworn in as Chief Minister for the fourth consecutive term. She would set a record as the first woman to achieve this feat. Previously, the late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa was sworn in as CM five times; however, her tenure spanned various periods between 1991 and 2006, and she did not serve as Chief Minister for consecutive terms. The BJP stands as the primary rival to the Mamata-led Trinamool Congress. Mamata has leveled sharp criticism against the BJP, alleging that they are manipulating voter lists, withholding funds due to the state, weaponizing central investigative agencies, and creating obstacles for the government through the office of the Governor. On the other hand, the BJP is sparing no effort in its bid to come to power in the state. Meanwhile, the Left parties and the Congress are fighting for their very survival.

** Tamil Nadu :
Total Seats: 234 | Majority Mark: 118
Results of the Previous Assembly Elections:
DMK+: 159 | AIADMK+: 75 | Others: 0
This is the only state in the last 60 years where neither the BJP nor the Congress has managed to come to power. While the electoral contest has historically been a direct battle between the DMK and the AIADMK, the entry of actor Vijay into the political arena has recently added a new layer of intrigue to the election battle. Jayalalithaa’s close confidante, Sasikala, has also launched a new political party. DMK Chief and Chief Minister Stalin is confident that his party will return to power for a second consecutive term. He has also inducted former Chief Minister Panneerselvam into the party fold. On the other hand, the AIADMK is determined to capture power by any means necessary this time around. It remains to be seen to what extent Vijay—who entered politics with the promise of emerging as an alternative political force—will be able to make an impact. The BJP is making every effort to bring Vijay into the NDA alliance. As part of these efforts, reports suggest that he has been offered the post of Deputy Chief Minister.

** Assam :
Total Assembly Seats: 126
Majority Mark: 64 | Results of the Previous Assembly Elections:
BJP: 60 | Congress: 29 | Others: 37
In the northeastern state of Assam, the BJP has been in power for the past ten years. Himanta Biswa Sarma currently serves as the Chief Minister. The party aims to return to power for a third consecutive term. This time, it has set a target of winning over 100 seats. Prime Minister Modi has visited the state three times within the last six months. Having been in power for two terms, the BJP is currently facing significant anti-incumbency sentiment. Issues such as Bangladeshi infiltration, expulsions, and border security are expected to play a decisive role in the elections. The Congress party is striving to restore its past glory in the state; however, party defections have become a major headache for the party.

** Kerala :
Total Seats: 140 | Majority Mark: 71
Results of the Previous Assembly Elections:
LDF: 99 | UDF: 41 | Others: 0
In Kerala—often referred to as “God’s Own Country”—there was a long-standing tradition of the government changing every five years. However, in 2021, the Left Democratic Front (LDF), led by CM Vijayan, broke this trend. It returned to power for a second consecutive term and is now eagerly aspiring to form the government for a third time. For the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF)—which has been in the opposition for ten years—these elections have become a do-or-die battle. The UDF aims to capitalize on anti-incumbency sentiment and turn it to its advantage. On the other hand, the BJP has not yet managed to win a single Assembly seat in the state, however, it did secure a victory in the Thrissur constituency during the previous Lok Sabha elections.

** Puducherry:
Total Assembly Seats: 30
Majority Mark: 16 | Results of the Previous Assembly Elections:
NDA: 16 | UDF: 9 | Others: 5
Following the collapse of the Congress government in 2021, an AINRC-BJP coalition government assumed power. N. Rangasamy once again took charge as the Chief Minister. This marks the first instance of the BJP being a direct partner in the government. Having forged an alliance with the DMK, the Congress party is determined to return to power this time around. It is steadfast in its resolve to capitalize on the anti-incumbency sentiment to its advantage.

— M. Venkata T Reddy, News Editor and Investigative Journalist.