West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 to Be Held in Two Phases, Results on May 4

The Election Commission of India on Thursday announced the schedule for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, outlining a two-phase polling process aimed at ensuring smoother logistics and efficient administration. Voting for all 294 constituencies in the state will take place on April 23 and April 29, while the counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.

According to the poll body, 152 constituencies will go to the polls in the first phase, followed by voting in the remaining 142 seats in the second phase. The announcement has triggered the immediate enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct across the state, restricting government announcements and policy decisions that could influence voters.

The Commission has significantly reduced the number of polling phases compared to the eight-phase election held in 2021, citing improved planning and better deployment of resources. Officials stated that extensive consultations were held before finalising the compressed schedule, with a focus on maintaining law and order while minimising disruption.

To ensure free and fair elections, nearly 478 central observers will be deployed across constituencies. Security arrangements are also expected to be robust, given the state’s history of politically sensitive contests. The election process will begin with the filing of nominations, with the last dates set as April 6 for Phase 1 and April 9 for Phase 2. Candidates will be allowed to withdraw their nominations until April 9 and April 13, respectively.

The upcoming polls are expected to witness intense competition among major political players, including the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress, and Left parties. In the previous 2021 Assembly elections, the Trinamool Congress secured a decisive victory with 215 seats, while the BJP emerged as the principal opposition with 77 seats. With political campaigning set to intensify in the coming weeks, the two-phase election is seen as a crucial test for all parties ahead of a high-stakes electoral battle in the state.