Assembly Poll Dates Announced: TMC, Congress React As EC Schedules Elections In 5 States And Puducherry

The Election Commission of India has announced the schedule for the upcoming Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and the Union Territory of Puducherry.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar announced the poll schedule during a press conference in New Delhi. According to the Election Commission, voting will take place in single phases in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu, while West Bengal will go to polls in two phases.

With the announcement of the election dates, the Model Code of Conduct has come into force immediately in all the poll-bound states and the Union Territory.

Polling Dates Announced

The Election Commission released the following schedule for the elections:

Polling Schedule

Assam: April 9
Kerala: April 9
Puducherry: April 9
Tamil Nadu: April 23

West Bengal:

Phase 1 - April 23 (152 constituencies)
Phase 2 - April 29 (142 constituencies)

The counting of votes for all states and the Union Territory will be held on May 4.
17.4 Crore Voters to Participate

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said that around 17.4 crore voters will participate in the elections across 824 Assembly constituencies.

The number of voters in each state and union territory includes:

West Bengal: 6.44 crore voters
Tamil Nadu: 5.67 crore voters
Kerala: 2.70 crore voters
Assam: 2.50 crore voters
Puducherry: 9.44 lakh voters

The Election Commission also plans to set up around 2.19 lakh polling stations, with nearly 25 lakh election personnel deployed to manage the voting process.

Facilities and Transparency Measures

The Election Commission has issued instructions to ensure that all polling stations provide basic facilities such as drinking water, toilets, and proper signage for voters.
CEC Gyanesh Kumar said the commission has introduced several new initiatives to strengthen transparency in the electoral process.

He said, "Directions have been issued to ensure assured minimum facilities like drinking water, toilets and signage at every polling station."

He also added that 30 new initiatives have been taken recently to make elections more transparent.

According to him, "There will be a maximum of 1200 electors at a polling station. There should be 100 per cent webcasting at all polling stations to ensure round-the-clock monitoring."

Assembly Terms Ending Soon

The elections are being held as the terms of the current legislative assemblies are nearing completion.

West Bengal Assembly term ends: May 7
Tamil Nadu Assembly term ends: May 10
Assam Assembly term ends: May 20
Kerala Assembly term ends: May 23
Puducherry Assembly term ends: June 15

The newly elected governments will take office after the results are declared.
Political Reactions

The announcement of the election schedule triggered reactions from several political leaders across parties.

TMC Reaction

Gautam Deb, mayor of Siliguri and leader of the All India Trinamool Congress, welcomed the poll announcement but raised concerns about voter lists.

He said, "The Election Commission has announced that elections will be held in West Bengal in two phases. We will contest the elections with full strength, but the voter list must be fair. All valid voters' names should be included, there should be no discrimination. The people of West Bengal are fully prepared, we will win."

Another TMC leader Kunal Ghosh said the party leadership is analysing the Election Commission's decision.

He stated, "I won't comment on that as of now, the leadership is analysing the decision of the EC. Ultimately, under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee, TMC will come to power for the fourth time. Earlier there were elections in eight phases, there was no point. TMC will win more than 250 seats."

Congress Reaction

Congress leader Sukhdeo Bhagat expressed confidence about his party's performance in the upcoming elections.
He said, "We are confident in the Congress Party's performance in the upcoming elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry. While there may not be visible campaigns everywhere, our efforts are strong. We have placed observers and are monitoring district by district."

He added that the party believes it is gaining public support and hopes to form governments with the help of its allies.

Concerns Over Voter Lists

West Bengal Congress President Suvankar Sarkar also raised concerns about voter lists.
He said, "Whether it's one phase or two, the Congress's only stance is that the names of valid voters should not be removed from the voter list. Our sole demand is that the six million names under consideration before April 23 should be clarified."

TMC Raises Issue of Voter Deletion

TMC Member of Parliament Kirti Azad alleged that many genuine voters had been removed from electoral rolls.

He said, "We are raising our voice against the removal of 60 lakh genuine voters from the electoral rolls and demand their reinstatement as per the Supreme Court's order. Every citizen's right to vote must be protected."

P. Chidambaram Welcomes Poll Schedule

Former Union Minister P. Chidambaram welcomed the announcement on social media.
He wrote, "I welcome the announcement that elections will be held in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu in one phase and that elections will be held in West Bengal in two phases. I am glad that the number of phases has been compressed to one phase or two phases."

The Election Commission described the upcoming elections as a major democratic exercise involving crores of voters.
With large-scale arrangements, extensive monitoring and improved facilities, the commission aims to ensure that the elections are conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner.