New Delhi, March 15 – The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the election schedule for four states and one Union Territory (UT) on Sunday, while elaborating on the measures undertaken by the poll body to ensure free, fair, and transparent Assembly elections.
"Elections in Assam and Kerala will be held in a single phase on April 9. The UT of Puducherry will go to the polls on April 9. All 234 seats in Tamil Nadu will go to the polls in a single phase on April 23," said CEC Gyanesh Kumar at a press conference.
"For the 294-member West Bengal, the polling will be held in two phases. Elections for 152 seats will be held on April 23, while the second phase will be held for the remaining 142 seats on April 29," he added.
The results of all the Assembly elections will be announced on May 4.
The CEC also announced by-elections for 8 constituencies, spread across Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tripura.
The by-elections in Gujarat and Maharashtra will be held on April 23, while the rest will be held on April 9.
For the bypolls as well, the results will be declared on the same day as the Assembly polls, i.e. May 4.
The elections in West Bengal mark a distinct change from the past, as the polling this time will be held in two phases, unlike the eight-phased election last time, which stretched over a month.
CEC Gyanesh Kumar, while announcing the poll dates, also made a fervent appeal to all the electorate to exercise their franchise and cast their ballots.
Addressing the first-time voters, he said: "You are about to step into one of the most important roles of life. I urge you to participate in a democratic exercise and cast your vote."
"Elections in India are the festival of democracy," he added.