Congress releases 10-candidate list for Bengal polls; Subhankar Sarkar to contest from Sreerampur

Assembly Elections 2026 Live Updates: The Election Commission announced the schedule for assembly elections in the upcoming states of Kerala, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam and the Union territory of Puducherry.With polling scheduled between April 9 and April 23, and vote counting on May 4, the states are set ot witness tough compettition between contesting parties.Earlier this month, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, visited the poll-bound states to review preparedness.The Commission has also deployed Central Observers, invoking its plenary powers under Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, to oversee the conduct of elections and strengthen on-ground management.Key highlights:• West Bengal: Two-phase polling starting April 23, key contest between TMC and BJP, 60 lakh doubtful voter cases under review.• Assam: Single-phase polling on April 9, BJP faces Congress and regional parties, heavy CAPF deployment for smooth voting.• Tamil Nadu: Single-phase polling on April 23, three-way contest with DMK-led alliance, AIADMK-BJP combine, and TVK.• Kerala & Puducherry: Polling on April 9, with tight battles between LDF, UDF and other regional and national parties.