The Election Commission of India on Sunday announced that elections to the 126-member Assam Legislative Assembly will be held on April 9, setting the stage for a keen contest between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the opposition led by the Indian National Congress. The polling date falls five days ahead of Bohag Bihu, also known as Rongali Bihu, the State’s largest festival marking the Assamese New Year. Counting of votes will be held on May 4.
According to the schedule, the gazette notification will be issued on March 16, the last date for filing nominations is March 23, scrutiny of nominations will take place on March 24, and the last date for withdrawal of candidatures is March 26. Polling across the State will be conducted in a single phase on April 9 and the election process will be completed by May 6. The election will be the first Assembly poll after the 2023 delimitation exercise that redrew constituency boundaries while retaining the House strength at 126 seats.
The Commission’s announcement also covered elections in several other States and a Union Territory whose Assembly terms are scheduled to expire between May and June this year. While Assam, Kerala and the Union Territory of Puducherry will go to the polls in a single phase on April 9, voting in Tamil Nadu will take place on April 23. Elections in West Bengal will be conducted in two phases on April 23 and April 29. With the announcement of the schedule, the Model Code of Conduct has come into force.
