Election Commission to Announce Poll Schedule; West Bengal Set for Key Assembly Battle

The Election Commission of India is scheduled to announce the dates for the upcoming Assembly elections in four states and one Union Territory at a press conference in New Delhi on Monday. Among the poll-bound regions, West Bengal is expected to draw particular attention as political parties gear up for a crucial electoral contest.

The Election Commission will reveal the full polling calendar, including the phases of voting and the date for counting of votes. Apart from West Bengal, elections are also due in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Assam, along with the Union Territory of Puducherry. However, West Bengal is likely to remain at the centre of political attention because of its size, political significance and the intense competition among major parties.

Once the election schedule is announced, the Model Code of Conduct will immediately come into effect in all the poll-bound states and the Union Territory. The code restricts governments from announcing new projects or policies that could influence voters during the election period and sets guidelines for political campaigns.

In West Bengal, preparations for the election have already begun with major political parties stepping up organisational activities and outreach programmes across the state. The upcoming polls are expected to witness a keen contest among regional and national parties, making the state one of the most closely watched electoral battlegrounds in the country.

The Election Commission has also reviewed administrative and security arrangements ahead of the announcement. Officials have assessed the readiness of electoral machinery, updated voter rolls and coordinated with state authorities to ensure that the voting process is conducted smoothly and peacefully.

Security deployment is likely to be a key component of the polling exercise in West Bengal, given its large electorate and the need to ensure orderly voting across all constituencies. Central security forces may be deployed in several areas to maintain law and order during the election process.