The Election Commission of India on Friday announced the schedule for Assembly elections in four states — West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and the Union Territory of Puducherry. Voting for five assembly elections will begin on March 27 and counting of votes will be done on May 2.
The Model Code of Conduct has come into immediate effect with the announcement of polls in these states. All poll officials will be vaccinated against COVID-19 before elections for five assemblies. The West Bengal assembly has 294 seats, Tamil Nadu 234 seats, Kerala 140 seats, and Assam 126 seats. The Union Territory of Puducherry has 33 (3 nominated) seats in the assembly. West Bengal will vote in eight phases. The first phase of polling will be on 27 March, the second phase on 1 April, the third phase on 6 April, the fourth on 10 April, the fifth on 17 April, the sixth on 22 April, the seventh on 26 April, and the eighth phase on 29 April, respectively. Tamil Nadu and Kerala will vote in a single round on 6 April. Puducherry will also vote on the same day. In Assam, the assembly elections will be conducted in three phases on 27 March, 1 April, and 6 April.
Voting time has been increased by 1 hour as elections will be held in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic. During the filing of nominations, only two people will be allowed to accompany the candidate.
