Election Commission
General Elections and bye-elections 2026: 1,955 candidates in the electoral fray
Posted On:
27 MAR 2026 11:31PM by PIB Delhi
- Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the schedule for the General Election to Legislative Assemblies of Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal and bye-elections in 6 states on March 15,2026.
- The last date of filing of nominations for the States of Assam and Kerala and the UT of Puducherry and bye elections in 4 states which go to polls on April 9, 2026 was March 23, 2026, while the last date for withdrawal of nominations was March 26, 2026, by 3:00 PM.
- A total of 250 candidates withdrew their nominations, accordingly, the details of the total number of contesting candidates are as follows:
|
Sl.
No.
|
Name of State/UT
|
No. of ACs
|
Total No. of
Candidates after Withdrawals
|
|
General Elections
|
|
1.
|
Assam
|
126
|
722
|
|
2.
|
Kerala
|
140
|
890
|
|
3.
|
Puducherry
|
30
|
294
|
|
TOTAL
|
296
|
1,906
|
|
Bye-elections
|
|
1.
|
Goa
|
1
|
3
|
|
2.
|
Karnataka
|
2
|
34
|
|
3.
|
Nagaland
|
1
|
6
|
|
4.
|
Tripura
|
1
|
6
|
|
TOTAL
|
5
|
49
|
- The Returning Officers (ROs) shall publish the list of contesting candidates in the Official Gazette as per the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961.
- ROs shall place all the election papers and proceedings relating to nominations, scrutiny and withdrawal of candidatures in each constituency together in his/her custody in a sealed packet/envelope with the seal.
- Moreover, in line with ECI’s initiative, the EVM Ballot papers will bear the coloured photographs of the candidates and their details including serial number, name and symbol in large font for the ease and convenience of the voters.
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