NewDelhi/Thiruvananthapuram,March,16,2026: The West Bengal election dates for the 2026 Assembly polls have been officially announced by the Election Commission of India. Voting in the state will take place in two phases, while several other states will go to polls in a single phase.
According to the Election Commission, the West Bengal election dates are scheduled for April 23 and April 29. These elections are part of the broader Assembly Elections 2026 being held in multiple states across the country.
The Election Commission confirmed that while West Bengal will vote in two phases, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry will hold polling in a single phase on April 9. Tamil Nadu will conduct voting in one phase on April 23.
Officials said the two phase schedule in West Bengal has been planned to ensure smooth polling across the large number of constituencies in the state. Security arrangements, polling staff deployment, and logistical preparations are being organized accordingly.
The counting of votes for all states participating in the Assembly Elections 2026 will be conducted on May 4. The results will determine the next governments in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and the Union Territory of Puducherry.
With the announcement of the election schedule, the Model Code of Conduct has come into immediate effect in all the poll bound regions. Political parties and candidates must now follow strict campaign guidelines issued by the Election Commission.
The election schedule also raised questions among voters regarding voting procedures and identification requirements at polling stations. The Election Commission clarified that voters can cast their vote if their name appears in the electoral roll even if they do not carry their physical voter ID card.
In such cases, voters can present other approved identity documents including Aadhaar Card, Passport, Driving License, PAN Card, MNREGA Job Card, or government issued photo identity cards to verify their identity before voting.
The Assembly Elections 2026 will decide the new legislative assemblies in these states as the current assembly terms are scheduled to end between May and June 2026.
