New Delhi : The Election Commission of India has announced the schedule for the upcoming Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, along with by-elections, on March 15, 2026. The Commission has directed all State and Union Territory governments to strictly enforce the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
In preparation, the Commission held a series of review meetings with senior officials, including Chief Secretaries, Chief Electoral Officers, and Directors General of Police from poll-bound regions and neighbouring states. Officials have been instructed to ensure elections remain free from violence, intimidation, and inducements.
To strengthen monitoring, more than 5,000 Flying Squad Teams (FSTs) have been deployed across West Bengal and Tamil Nadu to respond to complaints within 100 minutes. Additionally, over 5,300 Static Surveillance Teams (SSTs) are conducting surprise checks at multiple locations.
Since the launch of the Election Seizure Management System (ESMS) on February 26, 2026, enforcement agencies have reported significant seizures. As of April 22, 2026, authorities have confiscated items worth over ₹1,072 crore, including cash, liquor, drugs, precious metals, and other inducements. Tamil Nadu recorded the highest total seizures at ₹599.24 crore, followed by West Bengal at ₹472.89 crore.
The Commission has emphasized that enforcement measures must not inconvenience or harass the general public. To address complaints, District Grievance Committees have been established.
Citizens and political parties can report violations of the MCC through the C-Vigil module available on the ECINET platform.