Election Commission To Decide Assembly Poll Dates In Key Meeting Today

New Delhi: After completing the review of election preparations in West Bengal, the Election Commission may soon issue notification for the assembly elections of Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry. According to sources, the schedule is likely to be announced this week. 

Who will attend this meeting?

Along with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi will also be present in this important meeting. The three commissioners have earlier visited Assam, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala and West Bengal to take stock of the election preparations. 

What were the reviews taken during the visit to the states?

CEC Gyanesh Kumar's visit to West Bengal took place when Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was sitting on strike in protest against SIR i.e. Special Intensive Revision. Despite this, amidst protesters outside the hotel and slogans of 'go back', the commission team met different political parties and discussed in detail election preparations.

When is it necessary to hold elections?

The tenure of the West Bengal Assembly ends on 7 May 2026. After this, the tenure of Tamil Nadu will end on 10th May, that of Assam on 20th May and that of Kerala on 23rd May. In such a situation, the Election Commission has limited time. 

What will change after the announcement of election dates?

This time, for the first time, the Commission is going to implement 100 percent webcasting at all the polling stations. Monitoring teams will be formed at all three levels—Returning Officer, District Electoral Officer and Chief Electoral Officer — to ensure that the elections are free and fair. 

Will there be voting in multiple phases in West Bengal?

Representatives of many political parties in West Bengal have demanded the Election Commission conduct elections in two phases. Whereas in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, voting has traditionally been held in a single phase.

Is BJP also going to decide on the candidates?

BJP's Central Election Committee meeting is likely to be held on March 12 in which the names of possible candidates from West Bengal and Kerala will be considered. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah and JP Nadda are members of this high-level committee. According to party leaders, the first list of candidates, which may include around 50 seats, may be announced between March 15 and 20.