The Election Commission of India has urged voters to use the Know Your Candidates module on its ECINet platform ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections and by-elections. The initiative is meant to help electors make informed choices by accessing verified candidate details before voting.
Election Schedule and Contesting Candidates
The Commission had announced the poll schedule on 15 March for Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry, along with by-elections in several constituencies across multiple states. A total of 1,955 candidates are in the fray in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry and bypoll-bound constituencies, which are due to vote on 9 April. Nomination processes are also under way in Tamil Nadu and for phased elections in West Bengal.
What the KYC Module Provides
The Know Your Candidate module on ECINet gives voters access to key candidate information, including:
- Criminal antecedents.
- Assets and liabilities.
- Educational qualifications.
- Verified social media accounts.
- Complete affidavit details through Form 26.
This information is intended to improve transparency and help voters assess candidates more effectively.
ECINet as a Digital Electoral Platform
ECINet has been described as a unified electoral service platform that brings together more than 40 Election Commission applications and portals. It offers services such as voter registration, electoral roll search, application tracking, grievance redressal, e-EPIC download, and direct contact with election officials. Voters can also book calls with Booth Level Officers through the platform.
Tools for Participation and Compliance
The platform also includes cVIGIL for reporting violations of the Model Code of Conduct and Saksham for accessibility-related services for persons with disabilities. The Commission has positioned ECINet as a one-stop digital interface to support informed voting, voter convenience and cleaner electoral participation.
Last Modified: April 28, 2026