Election Commission Official: Bengal Assembly Elections Likely to Begin in April in Two Phases

The upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections are likely to be conducted in two phases beginning in April, according to an Election Commission official familiar with the discussions on the poll schedule.

The indication came after meetings between the full bench of the Election Commission and representatives of political parties as well as administrative and security officials during a recent visit to the state, according to PTI report.

“The elections are likely to be held in April in two phases,” EC official was quoted saying by PTI.

Most political parties reportedly favoured a shorter election schedule, suggesting that the polls be held either in a single phase or at most in two phases.

However, the ruling Trinamool Congress is understood to have expressed a different view during the interactions with the poll panel.

According to officials, similar suggestions for a shorter election process were also made by members of the state administration and security agencies during the consultations.

The Election Commission is currently reviewing inputs from these meetings before taking a final decision on the schedule. The number of phases for polling will depend on factors such as law-and-order preparedness and logistical considerations across the state.

West Bengal has 294 Assembly constituencies, and the current Assembly’s term is scheduled to end in May 2026. The elections must therefore be completed before that deadline.

In the previous Assembly election held in 2021, voting was conducted in eight phases over more than a month. The Trinamool Congress secured a decisive victory and returned to power with a large majority.

The Election Commission is expected to finalise and announce the detailed poll schedule after completing its review of administrative preparedness and security arrangements in the state.​