India, March 16 -- The Election Commission of India on Sunday announced the schedule for Assembly elections in five states and Union Territories - Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and the Union Territory of Puducherry - setting the stage for a crucial electoral contest across key regions of the country.

While polling in most of the poll-bound regions will take place in a single phase, elections in West Bengal will be conducted in two phases. In West Bengal, the election will be conducted in two phases - the first phase on April 23, 2026, and the second phase on April 29, 2026.

According to the schedule announced by the poll body, voting in Assam, Kerala and Puducherry will take place on April 9, 2026. In Tamil Nadu, polling will b...