- EC preparing for assembly elections in five states next year.
- Uttar Pradesh polls likely to be held in 3-4 phases.
- Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa expected to have single-phase elections.
Assembly elections are slated for next year in five states, including Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Uttarakhand. Alongside the political parties, the Election Commission has also begun its preparations. The official schedule is yet to be announced; it is estimated that the elections will be completed by March.
Moreover, there are indications that the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections may be held in three to four phases this time.
Earlier in 2012, 2017 and 2022, the UP assembly polls were held in seven phases. Except Manipur and UP, the remaining three states where assembly elections are scheduled next year are likely to go in a single phase.
These states are Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Goa. Previous elections in these states were also held in a single phase. In Manipur, the polls may be held in two phases, as in 2022 and 2017.
3-4 phases in UP
The Election Commission's recent record shows that it has augmented its capability to hold polling by huge populations in fewer phases. Bihar went to polls in 2025 in just two phases, after the three-phase poll in 2020 and a five-phase election in 2015.
Similarly, West Bengal saw six-phase polling in 2016 and then an eight-phase polling schedule in 2021. However, this year, the Commission narrowed down the exercise to just two phases.
Uttar Pradesh has a history of seven-phase polls, but its schedule is also likely to be reduced like Bengal this year. However, UP is different from Bengal in terms of population and seats, and hence, the poll body is unlikely to go for a two-phased election and proceed with about three to four phases instead.
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The poll body is likely to hold discussions with the states soon. Given the increasing prevalence of false narratives and fake news during elections, the Election Commission has consistently advocated for a short election period.
EC teams to visit the states
Before the announcement of the schedule, the Commission's teams will visit election-bound states, starting in the last week of September.
Sources say the process of forming these teams has already begun. The Commission's teams will first visit states where the SIR process has been completed, including Uttar Pradesh, Goa, and Manipur. In Punjab and Uttarakhand, the final voter lists under SIR will be published in October.
State-wise assembly tenure end date
- Manipur: March 13, 2027
- Goa: March 14, 2027
- Punjab: March 16, 2027
- Uttarakhand: March 28, 2027
- Uttar Pradesh: May 22, 2027
With inputs from Arvind Pandey, New Delhi