India's 2026 Election Calendar: Upcoming State and Local Body Polls Across the Country

With the Bihar Assembly elections now concluded, India is entering a period of intense electoral activity as numerous state and local bodies prepare for upcoming polls in the near future.

In 2026, several major states will conduct full assembly elections: Assam with all 126 seats up for grabs, Kerala with 140 seats, Tamil Nadu with 234 seats, West Bengal with 294 seats, and the Union Territory of Puducherry with 30 seats.

Meanwhile, multiple by-elections are scheduled across different states to fill legislative vacancies created by the passing of incumbent MLAs.

In Goa, the Ponda constituency requires a by-election following the death of BJP representative Ravi Naik on October 15.

Similarly, Karnataka's Bagalkot constituency awaits a by-election after Congress member HY Meti passed away on November 4.

Additional by-elections are pending in Maharashtra's Rahuri constituency, previously held by BJP's Shivaji Kardile who died on October 17. The Tadubi constituency in Manipur has been vacant since January 18 following the vacancy of N Kayisii's seat from the National People's Party.

Nagaland's Koridang seat also requires a by-election after BJP member Imkong L Imchen's death on November 11.

Official dates for these by-elections remain to be announced by the Election Commission.

At the local level, Maharashtra's State Election Commission has scheduled polls for 246 municipal councils and 42 nagar panchayats on December 2, with results to be declared on December 3.

These elections form part of a broader initiative that will eventually encompass municipal corporations, Zilla Parishads, and Panchayat Samitis, with completion targeted by mid-January 2026. These local body elections had faced significant delays due to legal challenges related to OBC quota implementation, during which appointed administrators managed many local bodies.

In Kerala, local elections will be conducted in two phases on December 9 and 11, with counting scheduled for December 13. The outcome is expected to influence the political landscape ahead of the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections.

Mizoram will hold elections for the Lai Autonomous District Council on December 3, where the BJP currently holds power.

Additionally, Arunachal Pradesh will conduct elections for the Itanagar Municipal Corporation on December 15, with the BJP being the incumbent party in power.