ECI Announces Two-Phase Schedule for West Bengal Assembly Polls
On Sunday the Election Commission of India announced that assembly polls will be held across two phases on April and May 2026 with counting scheduled to begin by mid-March. Unlike eight-phase polling conducted earlier this year only one phase was used for West Bengal's elections in March due to its smaller number of seats compared to other states like Bihar or Uttar Pradesh which require more complex scheduling arrangements involving multiple rounds across the state and union territories involved currently include four full-state assemblies plus Jammu Kashmir as per official announcements...
Key Points
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1The Election Commission has announced that the West Bengal Legislative Assembly Elections in 2026 will be conducted over two phases, specifically April 23 and April 29.
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2This schedule marks a significant change from previous elections like those held on eight separate days during May-June of odd-numbered years (e.g., four or five weeks), with the entire process concluding by June.
Developments
Perspectives
The Election Commission has announced a two-phase strategy for the West Bengal Legislative Assembly Elections in 2026, with voting set for April 23 and 29 followed by vote counting on May 4.
— [Mar 15, 17:21] Tale Of 2 Phases: Why Bengal's Poll Schedule Helps Trinamool Challenge BJP (Feeds.feedburner.com)The decision to hold the polls in only two phases is a sharp contrast compared to eight-phase polling conducted during previous elections.
— [Mar 15, 08] West Bengal Assembly Election Kept To Just Two Phases In 2026? (Timesnownews)The unusually short election schedule has produced an electoral environment that is particularly challenging for the ruling party in this state's unique political context.
— [Mar 15, 17:21] Tale Of 2 Phases: Why Bengal Poll Schedule Helps Trinamool Challenge BJP (Feeds.feedburner.com)The Election Commission of India has chosen a two-phase schedule for West Bengal to curb poll-related violence and ensure orderly proceedings.
— [Mar 06, 13] Two-Phase Strategy For West Bengal: EC Goes Tough To Curb Poll Violence (News24)