The Election Commission of India has announced that the West Bengal Legislative Assembly election 2026 will be held in two phases, a sharp reduction from the eight-phase polling conducted in the previous election.
Voting in the state will take place on April 23 and April 29, while the counting of votes will be held on May 4.
Why the Number of Phases Was Reduced
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said the poll body made the decision after extensive deliberations.
According to him, the commission concluded that reducing the number of phases would make the process more convenient and efficient for all stakeholders involved in the election process.
“The Commission had detailed deliberations and decided to reduce the number of phases to an extent where it is convenient for everybody,” Kumar said while announcing the schedule.
Poll Dates for Other States
Along with West Bengal, the Election Commission also announced election dates for Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and the Union Territory of Puducherry.
Unlike West Bengal, elections in these regions will be conducted in a single phase.
Election Schedule
- Assam – Voting on April 9 | Results on May 4
- Kerala – Voting on April 9 | Results on May 4
- Puducherry – Voting on April 9 | Results on May 4
- Tamil Nadu – Voting on April 23 | Results on May 4
- West Bengal – Voting on April 23 and April 29 | Results on May 4
Key State Election in 2026
The West Bengal Assembly election is one of the most politically significant state contests in the country.
In the previous election held in 2021, voting took place in eight phases, largely due to logistical and security considerations.
The 2026 decision to limit polling to two phases marks a major shift in the election management strategy for the state.
