Discussions are reportedly underway in New Delhi to prepone the assembly elections in five key states—Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Manipur, and Punjab—from February 2027 to November or December 2026. The central government is in active consultations with the Election Commission of India to reschedule these polls to ensure they do not clash with the upcoming national census operations.

The primary driver behind this potential rescheduling is the national census, which is slated to enter a crucial phase in 2027. Having been delayed from its original 2021 schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent general elections, completing the census is now a top priority as it is essential for the delimitation of parliamentary constituencies and the implementation of the women’s reservation bill. By holding the state elections in late 2026, the government aims to conduct the census smoothly without political campaigns disrupting the administrative machinery.

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This sudden shift could push political parties into early election mode, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, and Manipur, where the BJP is currently in power, and Punjab, which is ruled by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). While the BJP faces a challenging battle to retain Uttar Pradesh under Yogi Adityanath following recent Lok Sabha setbacks, the party is also eyeing a stronger foothold in Punjab, where it has recently seen political shifts, including several AAP leaders joining its ranks.