The Election Commission of India announced schedule for the upcoming Assembly elections. The states are Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and the Union Territory of Puducherry .

Firstly, voting will be conducted in a single phase in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, and Tamil Nadu. However, the election in West Bengal will be conducted in two phases.

Moreover, with the announcement of the election dates, the Model Code of Conduct has been enforced immediately in all the concerned states and the Union Territory.

Polling Schedule:

Assam: April 9

Kerala: April 9

Puducherry: April 9

Tamil Nadu: April 23

West Bengal:

Phase 1: April 23 (152 constituencies)

Phase 2: April 29 (142 constituencies)

LEARNING FROM HOME/ WITHOUT CLASSES/ BASICS

Article 324 of the Indian Constitution grants powers to the Election Commission of India to direct and control free and fair elections in India. The powers of Superintendence vested in the Election Commission.

Qualifications of members of Parliament listed in Article 84 of the Constitution. While disqualifications found under Article 102. Corresponding provisions for members of State Legislative Assemblies found in Articles 173 and 191.

Article 102 of the Constitution sets grounds for disqualification of MPs whereas Article 191 sets out the same grounds for disqualification for member legislative assemblies.

VARIOUS COURT RULINGS

In Union of India v. Association for Democratic Reforms, the Court recognized that voters have a fundamental right to know the background of election candidates. Therefore, it linked the right to be informed with the freedom of speech and expression under the Constitution. Consequently, the Court directed the Election Commission of India to collect affidavits from candidates. These affidavits must disclose criminal cases, past convictions, pending charges, punishments, assets of the candidate and spouse, and educational qualifications.

Similarly, in Public Interest Foundation v. Union of India, the Court strengthened transparency in elections. First, candidates must declare criminal records clearly in nomination forms. Next, candidates must inform their political parties about pending cases. Then, parties must publish these details on their websites. Moreover, both candidates and parties must publicize such information in print and electronic media at least three times after nomination.

Furthermore, the Supreme Court in Lily Thomas v. Union of India struck down Section 8(4) of the Representation of the People Act. As a result, any Member of Parliament or state legislator who receives a criminal conviction immediately loses eligibility to contest elections or hold office. Earlier, convicted legislators could continue in office while appeals were pending.

Overall, these judgments aim to reduce corruption and criminalization in politics. Therefore, the Court emphasized transparency and urged Parliament to adopt stronger reforms. Additionally, several committees—such as the **Dinesh Goswami Committee, the Inderjit Gupta Committee, and the N. N. Vohra Committee—recommended state funding of elections to reduce black money and limit the criminalization of politics.