In a move that signals the ramp-up for West Bengal’s 2026 assembly elections, the Election Commission of India’s full bench will embark on a two-day visit to the state on March 1. The timing is strategic, following the February 28 release of the finalized voter rolls and the wrap-up of the Special Intensive Revision drive.
This decision emerged from a high-stakes meeting Tuesday between CEO Manoj Kumar Agarwal and the ECI chiefs at their New Delhi office. The visit aims to gauge preparedness on the ground.
The itinerary includes intensive sessions with the CEO’s team, encompassing additional, joint, and deputy CEOs, alongside DEOs. The focus will be on post-SIR developments and logistical hurdles for the upcoming polls.
Expect the announcement of election dates soon after, with insiders confirming a first-week-of-March reveal, as directed in the capital.
A key debate centered on phasing: Agarwal pushed hard for a unified single-phase election, contingent on robust CAPF support. The ECI nodded to limiting phases to three maximum, though no final call was made.
West Bengal hasn’t seen a single-phase assembly vote since 2001; recent elections have dragged across multiple phases. Opting for fewer phases could boost efficiency but demands meticulous planning amid the state’s volatile politics.
As Bengal’s political heavyweights gear up, this ECI oversight visit highlights the commission’s proactive stance in preempting poll-related issues and upholding democratic integrity.