ECI Plans Increased Observers and Security for 2026 West Bengal Assembly Elections

The Election Commission of India (ECI) is preparing for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections by significantly increasing the deployment of general, police, and expenditure observers to ensure free and fair polls. Deployment decisions will be guided by district-wise sensitivity mapping, considering factors like international borders and past election-related violence. Districts such as Murshidabad, Malda, and Cooch Behar are prioritized for enhanced security measures. The ECI aims to strengthen monitoring and security arrangements compared to the 2021 elections.