5-state polls set for Feb-March, with UP voting 2 months before term ends
UP 2 months early, P 14
In a bid to avoid logistical challenges, the Election Commission has decided to advance the census enumeration phase in five poll-bound states during the months of December 2026 and January 2027. The Manipur assembly is set to expire on March 13, 2027, making it the first state to vote ahead of its term ending. The other states to vote, in order of their assembly's term expiry, are Uttarakhand (March 28), Punjab (March 16), Goa (March 14), and Uttar Pradesh (May 22).
Uttar Pradesh is expected to vote almost two months before the end of its assembly term, following a pattern seen in the last three elections. The Election Commission can conduct state polls anytime within six months prior to the expiry of the assembly's term. Census data from the three poll-bound states where second phase has already been completed and the other two where it is underway shows a decline in the electorate.
Uttar Pradesh's electorate stands at 13.4 crore (13.2% less), Goa's at 10.6 lakh (10.2% less), and Manipur's at 19.3 lakh (7.6% less).
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