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ECI announces single-phase Assembly polls in 4 states; Kerala to vote on 9 April, TN on 23 April

Kerala CEO informed that a number of applications related to voter enrolment are still pending for disposal across districts.

South First Desk

Published Mar 15, 2026 | 4:36 PM ⚊ Updated Mar 15, 2026 | 6:55 PM

Representational image. Credit: iStock

Representational image. Credit: iStock

Synopsis: The Election Commission of India has announced Assembly polls in a single phase. Tamil Nadu votes on 23 April, Kerala on 9 April, with counting on 4 May. Assam and Puducherry follow the same schedule. Kerala’s voter roll stands at 2.71 crore, with pending applications likely to add 30,000–40,000 electors.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the polling schedule for the upcoming Assembly elections today. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar announced the pollingn dates for Kerala, Assam, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and the Union Territory of Puducherry.

Notably, voting will be conducted in a single phase.

For Tamil Nadu, voting will be held on 23 April and the counting will take place on 4 May. Similarly, Kerala, with 140 Assembly seats, goes for polls on 9 April with counting on 4 May.

Polling in Assam and Puducherry will also be conducted along with the same election schedule.

ECI  also released guidelines on the Model Code of Conduct, voter awareness campaigns, and measures to ensure free and fair elections.

Also Read: Kerala assembly elections: Lok Poll’s survey predicts decisive victory for Congress led UDF

Voter roll in Kerala after SIR

In Kerala, the number of voters stood at more than 2.78 crore when the SIR process started. The draft roll published on 23 December, 2025 showed over 2.54 crore voters.

After the revision, the final roll increased to about 2.69 crore. At present, the total voter strength in the state is 2,71,11,856.

This includes 2,70,57,814 general electors and 54,042 service electors. Election officials are now examining 73,609 applications for inclusion in the voters’ list. Of these, 62,401 are Form-6 applications and 11,208 are Form-6A applications from overseas electors, Chief Electoral Officer Rathan U Kelkar said.

With these pending requests, the number of voters is expected to increase by around 30,000 to 40,000 before the Assembly elections.

Officials added that the Integrated Electoral Roll will be published in line with the directions of the Election Commission of India, around the last date for filing nominations after the election schedule is announced.

The CEO informed that a number of applications related to voter enrolment are still pending for disposal across districts.

The Integrated Electoral Roll will be published as per the directions of the Election Commission of India, around the time of the last date of nomination for the upcoming Kerala Legislative Assembly elections.

In Kerala, special arrangements have been made in the remote tribal settlement of Edamalakkudy in Idukki district, where 693 tribal voters are enrolled. Election officials have to travel around 30 kilometres by vehicle and walk nearly 9 kilometres to set up voting facilities in the area.

Key election code guidelines:

  • Political party advertisements placed in public places will be removed.
  • Money or gifts cannot be distributed to voters by political parties or candidates.
  • Statues of political leaders across the state will be covered to maintain neutrality.
  • Checkposts will be set up and vehicles will be subjected to intensive inspections.
  • Large amounts of cash, jewellery, or valuables cannot be transported without proper documents.
  • Government officials will function under the direct control of the Election Commission during the election period.
  • Once the Model Code of Conduct comes into effect, the government cannot make any new policy announcements.
  • Ongoing government projects may continue, but no new projects can be launched.
  • Flying squads comprising government officials will monitor violations of election rules.
  • Political parties must obtain permission from the District Election Officer (Collector) to conduct meetings or events.
  • Party flags, banners, and posters cannot be placed without prior permission.

Interestingly, this time, the poll schedule has been released just 20 days before the polling date. But the 2021 Assembly election saw the dates announced about 38 days before elections.

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