ECI Nears Poll Date Announcement

Final review in West Bengal signals schedule for 2026 Assembly elections soon

March 10, 2026: The Election Commission of India has begun its final round of on-ground assessments in West Bengal, indicating that the schedule for the 2026 Assembly elections may be announced soon. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, held meetings with senior administrative and police officials in Kolkata to review preparations for the upcoming polls. The visit marks the final phase of the Commission’s assessment tour of poll-bound states.

Before arriving in West Bengal, the Commission had conducted similar reviews in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam and Puducherry. The terms of these Assemblies are set to expire between early May and mid-June, with West Bengal’s term ending on May 7. Following the completion of the Bengal review on March 10, the Election Commission is expected to announce the polling schedule shortly, following its usual practice.

The Commission is also planning a major transparency measure by introducing 100 percent live webcasting at polling stations across the five regions. Monitoring teams at the levels of Returning Officers, District Election Officers and Chief Electoral Officers will supervise the process. Officials said the polling calendar will also consider local cultural and religious festivals, based on suggestions received from political parties during consultations in states such as Assam and Kerala.