Assam Election Date 2026 Announced: Single Phase Polling on April 9, Counting on May 4 | Full Schedule & Details
Assam Election Date 2026: ECI Announces Single-Phase Polling on April 9, Vote Counting on May 4 – Complete Details
New Delhi/Guwahati, March 15, 2026 – The Election Commission of India (ECI) has officially declared the much-awaited Assam election date 2026 for the Assam Legislative Assembly polls. In a press conference held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, on Sunday, March 15, 2026, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, alongside Election Commissioners S.S. Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, announced the schedule for assembly elections in several states, including Assam.
Assam will go to the polls in a single phase on April 9, 2026 (Thursday), with the counting of votes scheduled for May 4, 2026 (Monday). This announcement sets the stage for a high-stakes electoral battle in the northeastern state, which has 126 assembly constituencies.
The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has come into immediate effect across Assam following the schedule announcement, ensuring fair play and restricting government actions that could influence voters.
Key Highlights of Assam Election Date 2026 Schedule
The ECI provided a detailed timeline for the Assam assembly elections 2026:
- Issue of Gazette Notification: March 16, 2026 (Monday)
- Last Date for Filing Nominations: March 23, 2026 (likely, based on standard timelines; confirm with official ECI notification)
- Last Date for Scrutiny of Nominations: March 24, 2026
- Last Date for Withdrawal of Candidatures: March 26, 2026 (Thursday)
- Date of Poll: April 9, 2026 (Thursday)
- Date of Counting: May 4, 2026 (Monday)
- Date Before Which Election Process Completes: May 6, 2026 (Wednesday)
This single-phase polling aligns with requests from several political parties during pre-poll reviews, avoiding disruptions during key regional festivals like Bihu (which typically falls in mid-April).
Voter Demographics and Infrastructure for Assam Polls 2026
Assam is gearing up for a massive electoral exercise with approximately 2.50 crore (25 million) electors eligible to cast their votes. The ECI has established 31,486 polling stations across the state to facilitate smooth voting.
Key voter statistics include:
- 5.75 lakh young electors (first-time voters aged 18+)
- 4.16 lakh electors with disabilities
- 343 third gender electors
- 1.04 lakh senior citizens
Of the 126 assembly seats, 9 are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) and 19 for Scheduled Tribes (ST), reflecting Assam’s diverse demographic composition.
CEC Gyanesh Kumar emphasized the importance of “pure electoral rolls” as the “bedrock of democracy.” He highlighted the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls conducted under Article 326 of the Constitution. This process ensures no eligible voter is excluded and no ineligible person is included, making the voter list accurate and inclusive ahead of the Assam election 2026 date.
Broader Context: Elections in Other States and UT
While the focus here is on Assam election date 2026, the ECI announcement covered multiple regions:
- Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry: Single phase on April 9, 2026
- Tamil Nadu: Single phase on April 23, 2026
- West Bengal: Two phases – first on April 23, 2026, and second on April 29, 2026
All counting will occur on May 4, 2026. This synchronized schedule covers a significant portion of India’s electorate, with over 17.4 crore voters across these states and UTs.
Political Landscape in Assam Ahead of 2026 Polls
The Assam assembly elections 2026 come after the BJP-led government’s performance in the 2021 polls, where it secured a majority under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The opposition, including Congress and regional parties like AIUDF, is expected to mount a strong challenge on issues like development, immigration, flood management, and ethnic rights.
Political parties have begun preparations, with some announcing initial candidate lists shortly after the schedule reveal. The single-phase polling could benefit larger parties with statewide machinery, while smaller outfits focus on targeted campaigns.
Why “Pure Electoral Rolls” Matter for Assam Election 2026
CEC Kumar described the SIR as a “massive democratic exercise.” By purifying the rolls, the ECI aims to build trust in the process. This is particularly relevant in Assam, which has historically faced debates over voter lists due to migration concerns.
Voters are urged to check their names on the electoral rolls via the ECI website or NVSP portal and report discrepancies immediately.
What Happens Next After Assam Election Date 2026 Announcement?
- Campaigning intensifies as parties finalize candidates and manifestos.
- Security arrangements ramp up, with central forces likely deployed.
- Awareness drives target first-time voters and special categories.
- Monitoring of MCC violations begins immediately.
The Assam election date 2026 announcement marks the formal start of the electoral season in the state. With polling just weeks away, all eyes are on how parties mobilize their bases in this diverse and strategically important northeastern state.
Stay tuned to our website for live updates, candidate lists, constituency-wise analysis, and more on Assam assembly elections 2026. For the official schedule, visit the Election Commission of India website.
