West Bengal assembly elections schedule 2026

The Election Commission on Sunday announced that elections to West Bengal’s 294 assembly constituencies will be held in two phases, on April 23 and April 29. Counting of votes for both phases will take place on May 4, with the entire election process scheduled to conclude by May 6.

The first phase covers 152 constituencies. The gazette notification for this phase will be issued on March 30, 2026. The last date to file nominations is April 6, with scrutiny on April 7, and candidates can withdraw by April 9. Polling for the first phase is set for April 23.

The second phase covers 142 constituencies, with the gazette notification issued on April 2, 2026. Nominations close on April 9, scrutiny will be on April 10, and withdrawal of nominations is allowed until April 13. Voting for this phase will be held on April 29.

West Bengal has a total electorate of 6,45,61,152, including 6,44,52,609 general electors and 1,08,543 service voters. Among them are 5,23,229 young voters aged 18-19, 4,16,089 persons with disabilities, 1,152 third-gender electors, and 3,78,979 senior citizens aged 85 and above.

The last Assembly election in 2021 was held in eight phases between March 27 and April 29, in a fierce contest between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) led by Mamata Banerjee and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Explaining the reduction in phases, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said the two-phase schedule was chosen to make the process more convenient for all stakeholders.

Elections 2026 mark a pivotal year for democratic processes across various regions in India and globally. This includes key state assembly elections, local body polls, and by-elections that could significantly impact national-level politics. Get real-time updates, important dates, voting procedures, and verified news — all in one place. Whether you're tracking results or exploring candidate profiles, this is your go-to hub for Elections 2026.