General Election to the Legislative Assemblies of Tamil Nadu reg - ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA - PRESS NOTE

General Election to the Legislative Assemblies of Tamil Nadu reg - ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA - PRESS NOTE

General Election to the Legislative Assemblies of Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry, 2026 – reg. The term and strength along with seats reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) of the Assembly Constituencies of Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry, as determined by the Delimitation Order, are as under:-

Election Commission of India (hereinafter ECI) is mandated to conduct elections to the Legislative Assemblies of state of Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and UT of Puducherry before the cessation of their term, in exercise of the authority and powers conferred upon it under Article 324 read with Article 172 (1) of the Constitution of India and Section 15 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD General Election to the Legislative Assemblies of Tamil Nadu reg - ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA - PRESS NOTE PDF

2. The Commission has visited these states to review the poll preparedness and the Commission interacted with the recognized political parties, enforcement agencies, all District Election Officers, District SPs/CPs, Divisional Commissioners, range DIGs/IGs, Chief Secretaries/DGPs and other Senior Officers of Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry. 3. The team of senior officers of the Commission also reviewed law and order situation, to ascertain specific areas of concern, to discuss the quantum of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) required in the States/UT and the overall preparedness of the election machinery. The cooperation of all authorities was sought for conducting elections as per law in these States under the overall superintendence, direction and control of the Election Commission.

4. The conduct of General Election in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry requires deployment of Central and State Police Forces to ensure peaceful election with fearless participation of electors, especially in vulnerable areas/pockets. Deployment and disengagement of these forces with optimal utilization involves complex planning and detailed analysis, carried out over several rounds of consultations with the senior officers of the Ministry of Home Affairs, CAPFs, Police Nodal Officers of Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry and Railway Ministry.

5. Electoral Rolls:

The Commission firmly believes that pure and updated electoral rolls are the bedrock of democratic process. Hence, intensive and sustained focus is placed upon improving its quality, health and fidelity. After the amendment in the Section 14 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 by the Election Laws (Amendment) Act, 2021, there is a provision of four qualifying dates to enroll as a voter in a year.

Accordingly, Commission has conducted the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Roll in Puducherry, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal and Special Revision (SR) of Electoral Roll in Assam with reference to 01.01.2026, as the qualifying date. After time-bound completion of SR and SIR of Electoral Rolls with reference to 01-01-2026 as the qualifying date, the final publication of electoral roll was done in Assam on 10.02.2026, in Puducherry on 14.02.2026, in Tamil Nadu on 17.02.2026, in Kerala on 21.02.2026 and in West Bengal on 28.02.2026. The copies of the draft and final electoral rolls have been shared with all recognized political parties and uploaded on website.

The final list published in the State of West Bengal would be followed with Supplementary List(s) of electors as per orders of the Hon’ble Supreme Court. As per final publication of electoral rolls on above indicated dates, the number of electors in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry is: The Commission, in order to maximize participation from all strata of society and improve the health of electoral roll has taken all possible efforts to include:

A. Focus on the enrolment of young voters especially who attained the qualifying age on 01.01.2026.

B. Rationalize Polling Stations with due diligence. Each and every polling station has been physically visited by Senior Officers and shifting of polling stations in new and better infrastructure building has also been considered after following due procedure.

C. Enforce the Assured Minimum Facilities along with accessibility friendly infrastructure for PWDs and senior citizens in the polling stations for which CEOs/DEOs have been directed to create permanent infrastructure such as ramps at the polling stations.

D. Polling Station Locations with 3 or more Polling Stations have been planned for separate entry and exit so as to avoid any untoward incidences related to any epidemic or disorder.

E. The Commission has encouraged the DEOs to use eco-friendly material and exhibit local culture and art to create Model Polling Stations. Each District should have at least one such Model Polling Station, as far as possible.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD General Election to the Legislative Assemblies of Tamil Nadu reg - ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA - PRESS NOTE PDF