West Bengal Elections 2026 to Be Held in Two Phases
The Election Commission of India has announced that the 2026 assembly elections in West Bengal will be conducted in two phases instead of the eight phases used during the 2021 polls. Voting is scheduled for April 23 and April 29, while counting of votes will take place on May 4.
Why the Poll Phases Were Reduced
According to the poll body, the decision was taken after assessing logistical arrangements, security deployment, and administrative preparedness. Officials said a two-phase election was considered “convenient” based on current conditions and improved planning compared to previous elections.
Comparison with Previous Elections
In the 2021 assembly elections, voting in the state was conducted across eight phases, largely due to security concerns and the need for large-scale deployment of central forces. This time, the Election Commission believes the process can be managed more efficiently with fewer phases.
Counting to Be Held on May 4
The results of the West Bengal elections will be declared on May 4, along with results from assembly polls in other states including Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Puducherry.