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The Election Commission of India will hold the West Bengal Legislative Assembly Elections 2026 in two phases on April 23 and 29, with counting on May 4.
ECI Announces polling dates for West Bengal Assembly Elections (AFP)
West Bengal Polls: The decision by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to conduct the West Bengal Legislative Assembly Elections 2026 in just two phases has sparked debate among political observers and election experts, particularly given the state’s history of poll-related violence.
West Bengal will go to polls in two phases on April 23 and 29. The counting of votes will be on May 4.
Law and order concerns have often overshadowed elections in the state, whether during municipal, panchayat or Assembly polls. Against this backdrop, some observers have questioned whether holding the election in fewer phases could create logistical and security challenges.
Sources told CNN-News18 that the Election Commission conducted a detailed internal review before finalising the schedule. According to officials in the administration, while it is true that a larger number of phases sometimes allows organised groups, described by authorities as “troublemakers,” to move from one constituency to another, a two-phase election also raises questions about whether there will be adequate police personnel to guard polling booths and provide sufficient mobile patrols.
Officials said the decision was influenced by the need to prevent the movement of troublemakers. According to sources, the Commission believes reducing the number of phases could disrupt such networks.
Election-related violence has been a recurring issue in West Bengal. During the 2023 panchayat elections on July 8, at least 11 people were killed in incidents involving gunfire, assault, rioting and arson across several districts. Observers say that almost every major election in the state has witnessed some level of violence.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer in West Bengal has asked the Additional Director General of Police (Legal) and the State Police Nodal Officer to submit a detailed report identifying officers responsible for areas where poll-related violence occurred.
The report must cover pre-poll and poll-day violence during the 2021 Assembly elections and pre-poll, poll-day and post-poll violence during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Authorities have been asked to identify police station–level officers under whose jurisdiction these incidents took place. The report is to be submitted by March 16, 2026.
Copies of the communication have also been sent to the Election Commission and the Special Observer for the state. The Commission had earlier sought details of police officials responsible for jurisdictions where post-poll violence was reported.
Additionally, the poll body carried out major administrative changes in West Bengal, signalling its intent to keep a tight grip on the state’s election machinery.
Within hours of the code kicking in, the Commission appointed 1993-batch IAS officer Dushyant Nariyala as the state’s new Chief Secretary. He replaces Nandini Chakrabarty, marking one of the first significant bureaucratic reshuffles ahead of the polls.
In another key decision, the Commission removed the state’s Home Secretary Jagadish Prasad Meena. The role will now be taken over by 1997-batch IAS officer Sanghamitra Ghosh. Both officials are expected to assume charge by 3 pm on Monday.
Political parties, however, have expressed confidence about the upcoming polls. Shamik Bhattacharya of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said it is the poll body’s responsibility to ensure peaceful elections. “We are satisfied with the two-phase polling and are confident of winning,” he said.
From the ruling All India Trinamool Congress, leader Jayprakash Majumdar said his party had no doubts that the election would be peaceful and expressed confidence about the outcome.
Administrative sources also noted that the political landscape in the state has evolved, with both the ruling party and the opposition maintaining strong organisational networks at the grassroots level. This, officials say, increases the possibility of confrontation if tensions escalate.
The issue resurfaced recently during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Kolkata, when clashes were reported and political allegations were exchanged between rival parties.
With both sides claiming strong cadre presence on the ground, observers say the focus will now be on how effectively the Election Commission manages security arrangements to ensure peaceful polling across West Bengal.
March 16, 2026, 06:20 IST
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