Assembly Elections LIVE updates: ECI approves transfer of returning officers for West Bengal polls

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A total of 445 candidates have filed nominations for the 30 assembly constituencies in the Union Territory of Puducherry

Updated - March 24, 2026 08:14 am IST

A worker sorts flex sheet prints of the TMC party during preparations for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections at Bolpur in Birbhum district. | Photo Credit: PTI

The Election Commission of India on Monday (March 23, 2026) approved the transfer and posting of returning officers for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections, including for Bhabanipur, the constituency represented by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, an official said.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), one of the key constituents of the AIADMK-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Tamil Nadu, has been allocated 27 seats for the Assembly election, seven more than in 2021. The Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) has been allotted 18 constituencies and Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) has got 11 seats.

Also read: 25,03,842 voters in final list in Ernakulam; number goes up by 34,048 post SIR

Meanwhile, after days of hard bargaining, the CPI-M on Monday (March 23, 2026) night finally accepted the five seats offered by the DMK

A total of 445 candidates have filed nominations for the 30 assembly constituencies in the Union Territory of Puducherry. The filing of nominations began on March 16 and concluded on Monday (March 23, 2026).

Also read: Editorial on the West Bengal Assembly election 2026

Assam, Kerala and the Union Territory of Puducherry will go to the polls on April 9, 2026. In Tamil Nadu, the election will be conducted on April 23. The first phase of elections will happen on April 23, 2026, in West Bengal and the second phase on April 29, 2026. The counting for all these elections will be held on May 4, 2026.

March 24, 2026 08:14
445 candidates file nominations for 30 assembly constituencies in Puducherry
A total of 445 candidates have filed nominations for the 30 assembly constituencies in the Union Territory of Puducherry.
The filing of nominations began on March 16 and concluded yesterday.
As many as 445 candidates have filed 515 nominations. Scrutiny of nominations is slated for today, while the final day for withdrawal of nominations is March 26.
-PTI
March 24, 2026 08:12
818 aspirants file nominations for Assam polls; final figure may change, says CEO office
Over 800 candidates from across political parties and Independents have filed their nominations for the Assam Assembly elections as the process concluded yesterday, officials said.
The office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) said a total of 818 candidates have submitted nominations for the 126-member Assembly.
“In several constituencies, candidates filed more than one nomination, resulting in a total of 1,391 papers filed,” it said.
Scrutiny of the papers will be taken up today, and the last date of withdrawal of nominations is on Thursday, the statement said.
-PTI
March 24, 2026 08:11
ECI approves transfer of returning officers for West Bengal polls
The Election Commission of India yesterday approved the transfer and posting of returning officers for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections, including for Bhabanipur, the constituency represented by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, an official said.
In a letter to the Chief Electoral Officer, the commission agreed to the state’s proposal for the reshuffle, according to an enclosed list.
Officials said the reshuffle covers several constituencies, including the high-profile Bhabanipur seat, represented by the Chief Minister.
The poll panel has directed the officers to report to their respective constituencies by 5 p.m. on March 24.
The move is aimed at ensuring their participation in a training programme scheduled for 11 a.m. on March 25 ahead of the election process.
-PTI