The Election Commission of India announced the completion of the scrutiny of nomination papers for the 2026 Assembly elections and by-elections. This process has finalized the list of candidates for key states heading to the polls next month, including Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. Across these states and one Union Territory, a total of 2,140 candidates are in the running for the Assembly elections after the scrutiny.
The scrutiny, conducted by Returning Officers on March 24, encompassed all poll-bound states and the Union Territory, as well as the by-elections. The process, which included candidates and their representatives, was recorded via videography to ensure transparency. Kerala leads with 985 candidates vying for 140 seats, followed by Assam with 789 candidates for 126 seats, and Puducherry with 366 candidates for its 30-member Assembly.
In the by-elections, a total of 66 candidates are contesting across five Assembly constituencies. Notably, Karnataka has the highest number of candidates with 50 across two seats, while Goa, Nagaland, and Tripura also have candidates in the fray. The Election Commission has prepared a list of validly nominated candidates, displayed with photographs for voter identification, with the final candidate lineup to be determined after the withdrawal deadline on March 26 at 3 p.m.
With a focus on fairness and transparency, the Election Commission emphasized that all processes have adhered to established norms. Following the completion of scrutiny, the attention now shifts to the withdrawal phase, marking the next step in the electoral process before the states gear up for polling day.
