Top News

News India Live, Digital Desk: The great festival of democracy has reached its most decisive turn in five states of India. Voting is to be held in a single phase on all the seats of Assam, Kerala and Puducherry tomorrow, i.e. on 9 April 2026. Today, after the election campaign has stopped, all the parties have put their full strength in ‘door-to-door’ campaigning. At the same time, nominations and rallies are going on for the second and third phases in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. Today’s biggest stir was in Kolkata, where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee filed her nomination from Bhawanipur seat.1. West Bengal: ‘Remake’ of Mamata vs Shubhendu in Bhawanipur West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee filed nomination papers from her stronghold Bhawanipur today. During this, he demonstrated his power by doing massive road shows. Interestingly, BJP has fielded his old rival Subhendu Adhikari from here, due to which a contest like Nandigram in 2021 will now be seen in Bhawanipur. Elections are to be held in Bengal in two phases (23 and 29 April). Today a heated debate was also seen between TMC and the Election Commission, in which TMC accused the Commission of bias.2. Assam-Kerala-Puducherry: Tomorrow’s litmus test, tight security arrangements. The Election Commission has made unprecedented security arrangements for the voting to be held tomorrow (April 9). Assam (126 seats): Here, Congress has made a bet of ‘5 guarantees’ against BJP’s ‘Hindutva and infiltration’ card. Kerala (140 seats): LDF is trying to save its power, while UDF (UDF) has presented a tough challenge under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi. Today, a heated war of words was also seen on social media between Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Telangana CM Revanth Reddy.Puducherry (30 seats): Here too, voting will be held in a single phase tomorrow.3. Tamil Nadu: The equation changed with the entry of ‘Thalapathy’ Vijay. Superstar Vijay’s party TVK has made the contest triangular in Tamil Nadu for the elections to be held on April 23. Vijay’s nomination has been accepted from Perambur and Tiruchirappalli. DMK chief M.K. Stalin is continuously seeking votes in the name of ‘Dravidian Model’, while BJP is trying to increase its penetration under the leadership of Annamalai. Special initiative of Election Commission: International observers arrived. 43 representatives from 23 countries (International Election Visitors) have reached Assam, Kerala and Puducherry today to see this huge electoral system of India. These foreign guests will closely study India’s EVM technology and administrative security. The Commission has clarified that if ‘webcasting’ is disrupted at any polling station, repoll will be ordered immediately.Election 2026: Important dates at a glanceState/UTPolling DatePhaseResultAssam9 April 2026Phase 4Kerala9 April 2026Phase 4 MayPuducherry9 April 2026Phase 4Tamil Nadu23 April 2026Phase One4 MayWest Bengal23 and 29 AprilPhase Two4 May