General Elections and bye-elections 2026: Know Your Candidate’s educational qualifications and criminal antecedents using ECINET Platform

**Executive Summary** The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the schedule for the 2026 General Elections and bye-elections across multiple states, with polls for specific regions commencing on April 9, 2026. This report highlights the use of the ECINet platform and its "Know Your Candidates (KYC)" module to promote transparency regarding candidate backgrounds. Key deadlines for the withdrawal of candidature in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal are set for April 9 and April 13, 2026. **Key Points / Main Content** **Election Schedule and Participation** * **General Elections:** Scheduled for the Legislative Assemblies of Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. * **Bye-elections:** Scheduled for eight Assembly Constituencies in Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Nagaland, and Tripura. * **Candidate Statistics:** 1,955 candidates are contesting in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, and the four states going to polls on April 9, 2026. * **Withdrawal Deadlines:** The last date to withdraw candidature is April 9, 2026, for Tamil Nadu and West Bengal (Phase-I), and April 13, 2026, for West Bengal (Phase-II). **ECINet Platform and Voter Services** * **Unified Platform:** ECINet integrates over 40 apps and portals to provide a single-window experience for electoral services. * **Core Voter Services:** Provides facilities for voter registration, electoral roll searches, e-EPIC downloads, and tracking applications. * **Communication and Redressal:** Users can connect with election officials, book calls with Booth Level Officers (BLO), and access grievance redressal mechanisms. * **Specialized Tools:** Includes "cVIGIL" for reporting election violations and "Saksham" to provide accessible services for persons with disabilities. **Know Your Candidates (KYC) Module** * **Transparency:** Allows citizens to view candidates' criminal antecedents, assets, liabilities, educational qualifications, and verified social media handles. * **Affidavit Access:** Users can download the complete Form 26 (affidavit) submitted by candidates through the “Conduct of Elections” tab. **Impact Analysis** **Stakeholder: Citizens / Voters** **Impact** Voters gain unprecedented transparency into the backgrounds of 1,955 candidates, allowing for informed decision-making. They also receive streamlined access to registration and polling information through a single digital platform. **Action Required** Access the KYC module on ECINet to review candidate affidavits and use the platform to verify registration status or download e-EPIC. **Stakeholder: Candidates** **Impact** Candidates are subject to public scrutiny of their criminal records, financial status, and qualifications. They are also bound by strict statutory timelines for nomination and withdrawal. **Action Required** Must ensure all information in Form 26 is accurate and adhere to the withdrawal deadlines of April 9 or April 13, 2026, depending on the constituency. **Stakeholder: Persons with Disabilities** **Impact** This group benefits from targeted accessibility features designed to ensure they can participate in the electoral process without barriers. **Action Required** Utilize the Saksham tool within the ECINet platform to access specialized electoral services. **Stakeholder: Election Officials** **Impact** Officials are supported by an integrated digital infrastructure that facilitates real-time information dissemination and complaint resolution. **Action Required** Monitor and respond to reports filed through cVIGIL and manage service requests such as BLO bookings and grievance redressal.

Key Entities Referenced