West Bengal polls: Why Election Commission opts for two-phase assembly elections

New Delhi: election committee It was announced on Sunday that the assembly polls in West Bengal will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29, unlike the eight-phase polls held in 2021.Announcing the polling schedule for 4 states and 1 union territory, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said that in order to make the elections convenient for all, there is a need to reduce the phases.“With regard to the conduct of West Bengal elections in two phases instead of the earlier eight phases, the committee held detailed deliberations and in its considered opinion felt that there was a need to reduce the number of phases and bring it down to a level that is convenient for everyone,” Kumar said.The Chief Election Commissioner also addressed concerns over poll violence and said necessary action would be taken against police officers found to be involved in previous polls.“With respect to the policemen involved in early election violence, as the media came to know during our visit to West Bengal, we have sought this list and will take necessary action as per law. As for the supplementary list, as per the Supreme Court order, the learned bench working under the direction of the Calcutta High Court will come up with this supplementary list and when the supplementary list is announced, they will be included in the list in addition to the existing list of electors,” he added.On Sunday, the EC announced the election dates for the four voting states – Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal – and the union territory Puducherry. Follow all updates from the Board of Elections press conference here.Counting of votes for the 2026 West Bengal assembly elections will take place on May 4, along with those in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu.Meanwhile, the BJP and TMC have welcomed the poll body’s decision to hold two-phase polls in West Bengal.The BJP West Bengal post on X said voters will cast their votes in two phases on April 23 and April 29.“This is not just an election, this is a battle of civilizations. The countdown to the end of Maha Jungle rule has begun,” it added.Talking about the vote counting date of May 4, the BJP said, “With 50 days to go, May 4 will mark a new dawn in Bengal.”TMC state general secretary Kunal Ghosh, responding to the poll announcement, said the people of the state firmly support the ruling party.“The people of Bengal stand with the TMC. This was again reflected in the massive voting by the youth at the Yuva Sathi camp. Mamata Banerjee government,” he added.In the 2021 Bengal elections, the Trinamul Congress Party led by Mamata Banerjee won 215 seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party became the official opposition party with 77 seats.