The Election Commission today announced the poll schedule for the four states and one union territory whose assembly tenures are scheduled to terminate in April-May, 2016.
While Assam will vote in two phases, West Bengal will vote in six phases. Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry will go to the polling stations in a single phase. The elections will begin on April 4 in Assam and the counting day for all five states is May 19.
Full Schedule:
The dates are as below:
Assam poll dates
1st phase - 65 constituencies
Date of polling - April 4
2nd phase - 61 constituencies
Date of polling - April 11
West Bengal poll dates
1st phase - 18 constituencies
Polling days - April 4, 11
2nd phase - 56 constituencies
Polling day - April 17
3rd phase - 62 constituencies
Polling day - April 21
4th phase - 49 constituencies
Polling day - April 25
5th phase - 53 constituencies
Polling day - April 30
6th phase - 25 constituencies
Polling day - May 5
Kerala - 1 phase (140 constituencies)
Polling day - May 16
Tamil Nadu - 1 phase (234 constituencies)
Polling day - May 16
Puducherry - 1 phase (30 constituencies)
Polling day - May 16
Counting day - May 19
Around 17 crore voters are eligible to cast their ballots in the five states.
The model code of conduct for the election comes to effect immediately, the EC announced. The EC also said they have prepared a symbol for the NOTA option for voters.