West Bengal Assembly Elections Scheduled in Two Phases
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has set the 294-seat West Bengal Assembly elections for two phases on April 23 and April 29, 2026. Vote counting for both phases will occur on May 4, with the entire process concluding by May 6.
First Phase Details
The first phase covers 152 Assembly constituencies. Gazette notification issues on March 30, 2026, with the nomination deadline on April 6. Nomination scrutiny follows on April 7, and candidates can withdraw until April 9. Polling takes place on April 23.
Second Phase Details
The second phase includes 142 Assembly constituencies. Gazette notification releases on April 2, 2026, nominations close on April 9, scrutiny happens on April 10, and withdrawals end on April 13. Voting occurs on April 29.
Electorate Overview
West Bengal registers 64,561,152 electors, comprising 64,452,609 general electors and 108,543 service voters. Young voters aged 18-19 number 523,229. The rolls include 416,089 Persons with Disabilities (PwD), 1,152 third-gender electors, and 378,979 senior citizens aged 85 and above.
ECI Reduces Phases from Eight to Two
Unlike the 2021 elections, which spanned eight phases from March 27 to April 29 amid fierce competition between Trinamool Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party, the 2026 polls consolidate into two phases. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar explained the decision during a press conference in New Delhi.
“The Commission held detailed deliberations and determined that reducing phases to a convenient level benefits everyone,” CEC Kumar stated.
Addressing Election Violence and Electoral Updates
ECI seeks lists of police officers linked to prior election violence for appropriate legal action. A supplementary electoral roll, prepared under Calcutta High Court directives, will integrate with existing rolls upon completion.
CEC Kumar confirmed: “The list of involved police officers has been requested, and necessary actions will follow as per law. The supplementary list, directed by the High Court of Calcutta under Supreme Court orders, will add names to the current electors.”
