New Delhi, 26 March 2026 : The Election Commission of India (ECI) has completed the scrutiny of nominations for the 2026 General Elections to the Legislative Assemblies of Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, along with bye-elections in six states, following the conclusion of the filing period on 23 March 2026. The Returning Officers (ROs) undertook the vetting process on 24 March and finalized it today, verifying the eligibility of candidates in the presence of their representatives. The process was fully video-recorded to ensure utmost transparency and compliance with ECI guidelines.
After scrutiny, the total number of candidates remaining in the fray for the general elections stood at 2,140 across 296 Assembly Constituencies (ACs). Assam saw 789 candidates contesting across 126 ACs, Kerala had 985 candidates for 140 ACs, and Puducherry recorded 366 candidates in 30 ACs. For the bye-elections, 66 candidates were left in the fray across five ACs, including Goa (3 candidates), Karnataka (50 candidates in 2 ACs), Nagaland (7 candidates), and Tripura (6 candidates).
The ROs displayed the list of validly nominated candidates at the respective offices along with photographs for public reference, following ECI instructions. Candidates and their agents were present throughout the process to maintain procedural transparency and fairness.
The last date for withdrawal of nominations is set for 26 March 2026 at 3:00 PM, after which the final list of contesting candidates will be formally announced. This step sets the stage for preparations ahead of the elections scheduled in April, ensuring voters have clarity on the candidates in the fray.
The Commission emphasized that the scrutiny process strictly adhered to electoral laws, and any discrepancies or violations were addressed in real-time to uphold the integrity of the electoral process. Candidates found ineligible were disqualified, while valid nominations were officially confirmed and publicized.
This exercise comes as part of the Election Commission’s broader effort to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections across the country, strengthening democratic participation and accountability.
With the scrutiny complete, political parties and independent candidates are now focusing on finalizing their election strategies, outreach programs, and voter engagement efforts for the upcoming polls in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and the states undergoing bye-elections.
Observers and officials noted that the video-recorded scrutiny not only ensures procedural transparency but also provides an auditable record for any post-election review, reinforcing public confidence in the electoral process.
The completion of scrutiny marks a critical milestone in India’s 2026 electoral calendar, paving the way for the next stages, including campaigning, polling logistics, and ultimately, the conduct of elections in a secure and well-monitored environment.
As the Election Commission moves forward, attention now turns to the finalization of the candidate list and subsequent election preparations, with administrative authorities coordinating to facilitate smooth conduct of voting and adherence to electoral norms across all participating states and Union Territories.
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