5-state poll dates today? Big announcement expected at 4 PM

The poll body has invited media organisations to a press conference at 4 pm, triggering speculation that the much-awaited election announcement is imminent.

Once the schedule is announced, the Model Code of Conduct will immediately come into force. This means political parties will be barred from announcing new schemes or promises aimed at influencing voters, and the Election Commission will assume control of the administrative machinery during the poll period.

According to sources in the Election Commission, elections may be conducted in a single phase in most states, with the exception of West Bengal, NDTV reported.

Voting in West Bengal is expected to take place over three to four phases due to security concerns. In the 2021 Assembly elections, polling in the state was held in eight phases.

Previously, Assam voted in three phases while Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry voted in a single phase

From a security standpoint, West Bengal is considered highly sensitive. Around 480 battalions of central security forces have already been deployed in the state.

The Election Commission has also changed the system for deploying these forces. The decision will now be taken by police observers appointed by the Commission, in consultation with district officials. Earlier, this responsibility rested with the district police chief.

Key political battles

In West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee and her party, All India Trinamool Congress, are aiming for a fourth consecutive term, while the Bharatiya Janata Party is attempting to unseat the ruling party.

The elections come after the controversial Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which also reached the Supreme Court of India.

TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee and party's national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee staged a dharna against SIR in Kolkata. Photo: Facebook/@AITCofficial

The SIR triggered strong political reactions in West Bengal.

The ruling All India Trinamool Congress led by Mamata Banerjee alleged that the exercise could lead to the deletion of genuine voters, particularly from minority and migrant communities.

The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, however, supported the move, arguing that it would remove illegal or duplicate entries from the voter rolls.

The controversy escalated when petitions related to the voter list revision were taken to the Supreme Court of India.

Petitioners raised concerns about possible voter disenfranchisement, while the Election Commission maintained that the process was being conducted strictly under election laws and verification procedures.

In Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister M. K. Stalin and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam are seeking a second term in power. The opposition alliance includes the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Actor-turned-politician Vijay has also entered the electoral fray with his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, adding a new dimension to the contest.

In Kerala, a traditional Left vs Congress battle is expected. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) is attempting to secure a third consecutive term, while the Indian National Congress hopes to capitalise on its performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

In Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of the Bharatiya Janata Party is aiming for another term.

The opposition is led by Gaurav Gogoi of the Congress, though the party has faced recent setbacks, including the exit of former state president Bhupen Borah.

In Puducherry, Chief Minister N. Rangasamy and his party All India NR Congress are hoping to secure a third term, while the opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam is seeking to wrest power.