Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Apr 4: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has called on citizens to make informed choices in the upcoming 2026 Assembly and by-elections by using its ECINET platform, which provides comprehensive information about candidates, including their educational background and criminal records.
In an official statement issued on Saturday, the Commission emphasized the significance of informed voting and highlighted the “Know Your Candidates” feature available on ECINET. This module enables voters to conveniently access crucial details about those contesting elections.
The ECI had earlier, on March 15, announced the election schedule for the legislative assemblies of Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, along with Puducherry. Additionally, by-elections are set to take place in eight constituencies across Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Nagaland, and Tripura.
As per the Commission, 1,955 candidates are competing in the elections scheduled for April 9, which include Assembly polls in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, and by-elections in four states.
Meanwhile, the nomination process is underway for Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu and the first two phases in West Bengal. The deadline for candidates to withdraw their nominations is April 9 for Tamil Nadu and West Bengal (Phase I), and April 13 for West Bengal (Phase II).
Through the ECINET platform, voters can access detailed candidate profiles, including criminal cases, financial declarations, educational qualifications, and verified social media accounts. Users can also download the official affidavit (Form 26) submitted by candidates.
Described by the ECI as the largest electoral service platform globally, ECINET integrates over 40 applications and services into a single interface, streamlining voter engagement in the democratic process.
Beyond candidate information, the platform offers services such as voter registration, electoral roll searches, application tracking, direct communication with election officials, scheduling appointments with Booth Level Officers, downloading digital voter ID cards (e-EPIC), monitoring polling updates, and filing grievances.
ECINET also functions as a centralized hub for real-time updates and issue resolution. It incorporates tools like cVIGIL for reporting electoral violations and Saksham, which enhances accessibility for voters with disabilities.