Assembly elections 2026 highlights: Polling officials receive EVMs in Kerala, Assam, Puducherry ahead of April 9 voting

The live updates to the blog are closed.

Assembly elections 2026 live: Polling materials, including electronic voting machines (EVMs), were handed over to polling personnel.

• A Trinamool Congress delegation met Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, with TMC MP Derek O’Brien alleging CEC told them to 'Get Lost'.
• DMK candidate from Thiru Vi Ka Nagar assembly constituency, K.S. Ravinchandran, held an election campaign in Chennai’s Pulianthope
• TVK chief Vijay held an election campaign in Thoothukudi as political momentum builds ahead of the Tamil Nadu assembly elections
• Puducherry Chief Electoral Officer P. Jawahar said extensive arrangements have been made to ensure smooth and secure voting across the Union Territory.
• BJP leader K Annamalai said he recently met national leaders to discuss strategy for the upcoming Tamil Nadu and Puducherry elections.
• The Election Commission of India has appointed Sai Kumar as the new Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu, replacing N Muruganandam.

TN Assembly polls 2026 Live: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday appointed Sai Kumar as the new Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu ahead of the forthcoming state assembly election. He has replaced N Muruganandam.

Tamil Nadu will go to the polls in a single phase on April 23, covering a total of 234 constituencies in the State. The counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.

West Bengal Assembly polls 2026 LIVE: In the run-up to the West Bengal Assembly elections, Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Wednesday accused Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Election Commission of India (ECI) of turning "Indian democracy into a cruel joke" over SIR in the state.

In an X post, the party claimed that they are "selectively targeting and deleting genuine voters" in the process to "rig" the election results in their favour, calling it a "shameless bid".

West Bengal Assembly polls 2026 LIVE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will intensify the BJP's election campaign in West Bengal on Thursday with rallies in Haldia, Asansol and Siuri.

According to the schedule shared by the BJP, Modi will address his first rally at 9.30 am in Haldia Township in Purba Medinipur district, followed by another at the Outdoor Stadium in Polo Ground in Asansol at noon. The third public meeting is scheduled to be held at Chandmari Field in Siuri town of Birbhum district at 2 pm.

(PTI)

Assembly elections 2026 live: The BJP on Wednesday approached the Election Commission seeking an FIR and action against Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge over alleged “inflammatory” remarks in Assam and an “illiterate” jibe at Gujarat and other states. Citing violations of the Model Code of Conduct, the party also urged the EC to bar Kharge from campaigning during the election period.

In its complaint, the BJP alleged that Kharge made communal statements at a rally in Assam’s Nilambazar, invoking the Quran and comparing the BJP and RSS to “poisonous snakes”, claiming the remarks amounted to incitement to violence.

West Bengal Assembly polls 2026 LIVE: Tensions between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Election Commission of India (ECI) escalated after a meeting between the two turned acrimonious, with TMC leaders alleging that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar told them to “get lost” and failed to respond to concerns raised in nine letters by Mamata Banerjee.

Meanwhile, EC sources accused Derek O’Brien of shouting and behaving inappropriately, saying he was asked to maintain decorum.

TN Assembly polls 2026 Live: TVK Chief and candidate from Tiruchirappalli East and Perambur Assembly Constituency, Vijay, on Wednesday called the DMK-led bloc "cash box alliance," and recognised the BJP-AIADMK alliance as synonymous.

Addressing a public meeting in Tirunelveli ahead of the upcoming Tamil Nadu assembly polls, the TVK chief alleged that both the DMK and the BJP blocs aim to prevent him from coming to power, stating that he has exposed “many corrupt practices they were involved in.”

Kerala Assembly polls 2026 Live: An EC flying squad on Wednesday looked into a complaint that BJP Palakkad candidate Sobha Surendran allegedly gave money to influence voters ahead of the April 9 Assembly polls, Kerala CEO Rathan U Kelkar said.

Congress alleged that a woman member of Surendran's campaign team gave money to an elderly woman in Kannadi panchayat of Palakkad district. The district election department immediately dispatched the flying squad to the spot and recorded the statement of the elderly woman who denied receiving any money.

The Election Commission has issued fresh guidelines to strengthen the postal ballot voting process, mandating CCTV surveillance, deployment of central armed police forces and stricter observer supervision at facilitation centres and postal voting centres, a senior official said on Wednesday.

In a communication to the chief electoral officers of all states and Union Territories, the poll body said the measures are aimed at ensuring "strict compliance" with rules governing voters on election duty and absentee voters in essential services.

(PTI)

Kerala Assembly polls 2026 Live: Ahead of Kerala assembly polls, Kollam Police Commissioner M. Hemalatha inspected security arrangements on Wednesday. She said that 1,061 polling booths, special squads, and Quick Reaction Teams have been deployed.

Each police station has been equipped with law and order patrols, investigation patrols, and dedicated QRTs, she told ANI. Policemen, special police officers, and volunteers are stationed at every polling booth to assist the public and to ensure that the election process is free and fair she said.

TN Assembly polls 2026 Live: DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin on Wednesday said that Tamil Nadu will become a regressive state if the "Sanghi group" and the AIADMK, "which is shielding it", win the April 23 Assembly election.

He argued that the ensuing election was very crucial in defeating the NDA and voting the DMK to power for more development in the state.

Kerala Assembly polls 2026 Live: Congress has accused BJP candidate Sobha Surendran of being “caught red-handed distributing” cash to voters ahead of the April 9 Assembly polls, citing visuals aired on TV channels that allegedly show money being handed to an elderly woman.

Surendran denied the allegations, calling them “fabricated” and claiming the video was misrepresented. She said a local Congress leader and a journalist were behind the claims and that she would file a police complaint. The elderly woman seen in the video also denied receiving money, though she said she had asked for financial help for medicines. Meanwhile, the Election Commission warned against violations of poll norms during the silent campaign period and said action would be taken against offenders.

(PTI)

West Bengal Assembly elections 2026 LIVE: A BJP delegation met the Election Commission regarding the West Bengal Assembly elections, raising concerns over what it described as an atmosphere of fear and violence in the state.

Union Minister Dr Virendra Kumar said, “The kind of atmosphere of fear, terror, anarchy, and hooliganism being created during the elections in Bengal is also fostering an atmosphere of distrust towards the country's constitutional institutions.”

He alleged that statements by leaders encouraging violence were “shameful and condemnable” and claimed the TMC was acting out of “desperation.” Kumar said the delegation urged the poll body to ensure free and fair elections, adding that the Election Commission has assured that fair polls will be conducted.

(ANI)

TN Assembly polls 2026 Live: Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagendran, contesting from the Ramanathapuram Assembly constituency, held a campaign outreach in Rameswaram on Wednesday as part of preparations for the upcoming state elections. He received a warm welcome from alliance party workers and local residents, with supporters from BJP and AIADMK greeting him with aarti and garlands in areas like Keelavasal and Melavasal.

Nagendran expressed confidence in a strong NDA performance, claiming the alliance would win over 200 seats.

(ANI)

West Bengal Assembly elections 2026 LIVE: TMC MP Mahua Moitra launched a strong attack on Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Election Commission of India, accusing them of acting under BJP influence and targeting opposition voters.

“This is a special message for the CEC, Mr. Gyanesh Kumar… It is not your job to disenfranchise crores of valid voters… You have done this at the behest of your masters, the BJP,” she said. Calling for “free and fair polls” without “Delhi’s control”, Moitra alleged misuse of poll machinery and forces, and asserted that “Mamata Banerjee will be back as Chief Minister.”

(PTI)

Tamil Nadu Assembly polls 2026 Live: The Election Commission of India has appointed Sai Kumar as the new Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu, replacing N Muruganandam.

The change comes as part of the Commission’s administrative decisions, with Sai Kumar taking over responsibilities ahead of key governance and election-related activities in the state.

(ANI)

Tamil Nadu Assembly elections 2026 Live: BJP leader K Annamalai said he recently met national leaders to discuss strategy for the upcoming Tamil Nadu and Puducherry elections.

He said, "I had the opportunity to meet national leaders to discuss election-related strategies. The meeting was primarily focused on campaign planning and outreach efforts."

Annamalai also alleged a lack of unity within the INDIA alliance. On actor Vijay’s campaign, he said permission should be granted with adequate security, adding that concerns arising from the Karur incident make enhanced police arrangements necessary before approvals are given.

(ANI)

Puducherry elections 2026 Live: Puducherry Chief Electoral Officer P. Jawahar said extensive arrangements have been made to ensure smooth and secure voting across the Union Territory.

He said, “The Election Department of Puducherry, through its district and returning officers, has made extensive arrangements. Logistics are crucial, with polling parties and materials being dispatched to stations on time. This process is tracked using drones and 110 sector officers across 1,099 polling stations.”

“On security, multi-level measures are in place. Of these, 209 polling stations are categorised as vulnerable, where central armed police forces are deployed alongside local police to prevent incidents... Enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct is strict during the 48-hour silence period. Campaigning is banned, liquor outlets are closed, and inducements are closely monitored. Drones, flying squads, and the helpline are used to track violations in real time... Technology plays a key role, especially in regions like Mahe and Yanam, which are far from Puducherry. Drone feeds from these areas are monitored live in 4K quality,” he added.

(ANI)

Tamil Nadu Assembly elections 2026 Live: Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister and DMK candidate from Chepauk–Thiruvallikeni, Udhayanidhi Stalin, said the party is campaigning with confidence after fulfilling key election promises.

“My leader MK Stalin and I face people in our election campaign proudly as we have fulfilled our election promise, like free bus for women, morning tiffin to school children. Recently, 10 lakh college students got free laptops... Our leader has now promised to raise ₹1000 to ₹2000 for women every month. We have announced to give a ₹8000 coupon to women so that they can choose whatever electric items they want for their home,” he said.

(ANI)

West Bengal Assembly elections 2026 LIVE: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday hit out at the BJP and the Election Commission over voter deletions during the SIR exercise, saying her party will once again move court to resist the removal of electors from the rolls. (PTI)

West Bengal Assembly elections 2026 LIVE: Addressing a public gathering in Balagarh, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a sharp attack on the BJP.

She said, "Will it work if the BJP government doesn't let people of Bengal eat non-vegetarian food? They are anti-Bengal and anti-Bengali, and then come here to ask for votes. Voting BJP means we will not be able to eat non-vegetarian food. We will not be able to speak in the Bengali language. The minds of people in BJP are filled with poison."

(PTI)

Tamil Nadu Assembly elections 2026 LIVE: TVK chief Vijay launched a sharp attack on the DMK during a campaign in Tirunelveli, alleging that the ruling party has formed a “cash-box” alliance using “looted” money.

He said, "With all money they 'looted', DMK has put together a 'cash-box' alliance." Vijay added, "This might be just election for others, but for those with TVK, this is emotion." He further remarked, "If CM Stalin had full powers, Tirunelveli campaigning event would not have happened."

(PTI)

Kerala Assembly polls 2026 Live: Polling officials in Thalassery, Kannur are making final preparations at polling stations as Kerala heads into assembly elections scheduled for April 9. (PTI)

West Bengal Assembly elections 2026 LIVE: A meeting between a Trinamool Congress delegation and the Election Commission of India on Wednesday turned contentious, with the TMC alleging it was told to “get lost” during the brief interaction. Meanwhile, the poll panel reportedly said that TMC MP Derek O'Brien was asked to maintain decorum.

The TMC claimed that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar asked its representatives to “get lost” at the end of the seven-minute meeting, while the poll panel accused the delegation of raising their voices and behaving disruptively. Read more