Election Commission Announces Two-Phase West Bengal Assembly Polls for 2026

The Election Commission of India has scheduled the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections in two phases on April 23 and 29, a reduction from eight phases in 2021. This decision aims to improve logistical management, security deployment, and voter convenience. Political parties expressed mixed reactions: BJP welcomed the move, promising governance changes, while TMC criticized the reduction as politically motivated but affirmed confidence in victory. The Congress welcomed the phased polls but raised concerns about voter intimidation. Security remains a key focus amid the state's history of election-related violence.