Bengal Poll Dates Expected In First Week Of March As ECI Meets State CEO | Exclusive

Final Up to date:February 11, 2026, 00:08 IST

The ECI led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar engaged in an in depth dialogue with West Bengal’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Kumar Agarwal

Discussions on Tuesday steered that the ECI could conduct the elections in a most of 4 phases. (File pic: PTI)

As West Bengal prepares for its upcoming meeting elections, the Election Fee of India (ECI) has accelerated its administrative preparations to make sure a seamless polling course of. News18 has learnt that in a high-level assembly on Tuesday, the ECI led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar engaged in an in depth dialogue with West Bengal’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Kumar Agarwal to finalise the logistical and safety framework for the state. Sources point out that the official declaration of the election schedule is predicted within the first week of March, successfully triggering the Mannequin Code of Conduct throughout the state.

A major shift on this election cycle is the proposed discount within the variety of polling phases. Whereas earlier elections in West Bengal have been famous for his or her prolonged, multi-phase schedules—typically spanning eight phases—the fee is alleged to be contemplating a extra compact timeline. Discussions on Tuesday steered that the ECI could conduct the elections in a most of 4 phases. This strategic transfer goals to steadiness the requirement for intense safety deployment with the necessity for a swifter electoral course of, supplied that the legislation and order assessments stay beneficial.

A main focus of Tuesday’s deliberation was the standing of the electoral rolls. The state has been going by means of the Particular Intensive Revision (SIR), a course of that has been below the scrutiny of the Supreme Courtroom. Following latest judicial directives, the deadline for the ultimate publication of the electoral rolls has been fastened for February 28. This date is vital, because the “clear” checklist of voters will type the premise for all the election. The CEO briefed the complete bench on the progress of resolving “logical discrepancies” and the disposal of claims and objections, that are scheduled to be accomplished by February 21. The total bench will take a name after the ultimate roll is revealed, and the election schedule might be declared thereafter, say sources.

With the 294-seat meeting’s tenure set to finish in early Might, the ECI is working in opposition to a good clock. The transition from the ultimate roll publication on February 28 to an election announcement within the first week of March signifies a speedy transfer in the direction of the polling window, prone to fall in April. The fee has already begun briefing central observers, together with basic, police, and expenditure officers, to arrange for his or her deployment. Because the political temperature in Bengal rises, the ECI’s focus stays on sustaining a clear and honest atmosphere, guaranteeing that the 2026 mandate is delivered with out the procedural hurdles which have marked the revision part.

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