West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Dates Announced: Voting To Begin On April 23, Results On May 4

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the schedule for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, with polling in the state set to begin on April 23. The counting of votes for the high-stakes contest will take place on May 4, the same day results for four other states and Puducherry will also be declared.

With the poll panel unveiling the election timetable for West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and the Union Territory of Puducherry, the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has come into immediate effect, putting restrictions on fresh announcements and election-related inducements by political parties and governments.

Model Code Of Conduct Comes Into Force In Bengal

With the formal announcement of the West Bengal election schedule, the Model Code of Conduct is now in force, meaning no political party or government can make fresh promises, policy announcements, or launch schemes aimed at influencing voters.

From this point onward, the Election Commission assumes direct control over key aspects of the poll process and administrative machinery related to the conduct of elections. The state government will continue routine governance, but all election-related decisions will now be closely monitored by the Commission.

Bengal Remains Key Battleground In 2026 Poll Season

West Bengal is once again expected to be among the most closely watched states in this round of Assembly elections, given its volatile political climate and history of election-linked violence.

Unlike other poll-bound states that are heading into a single-phase voting process, Bengal has traditionally required a more staggered and security-heavy approach. In the 2021 Assembly elections, voting in West Bengal was held over eight phases, making it one of the most prolonged election exercises in the country.

This time too, the state remains under sharp focus from both political observers and security agencies as preparations intensify for polling from April 23.

Central Forces Already Deployed, Security Under Tight Watch

From a security perspective, West Bengal remains one of the most sensitive states among the current set of Assembly elections. Sources indicate that around 480 battalions of central security forces have already been sent to the state ahead of polling.

The Election Commission has also introduced a key operational change in the deployment of central forces. The Commission said the deployment of central forces will now be decided by police observers appointed by the Commission, in consultation with district officials.

Earlier, this responsibility was largely handled by the district police chief, but the revised system is aimed at ensuring a more neutral and centrally monitored security arrangement during the elections.

Mamata Banerjee Eyes Fourth Term, BJP Seeks Big Upset

The 2026 West Bengal Assembly election is shaping up as a high-stakes contest between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) led by Mamata Banerjee and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is looking to significantly improve its performance and challenge the incumbent government.

Mamata Banerjee is seeking a fourth consecutive term in power, hoping to extend TMC's dominance in the state. On the other hand, the BJP is going all-out in an attempt to turn the tables in one of India's most politically charged battlegrounds.

The election is also being held in the aftermath of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, which triggered intense political controversy in the state and also reached the Supreme Court, adding another layer of significance to the contest.

ECI Announces Schedule For Other Poll-Bound States Too

Alongside West Bengal, the Election Commission has also announced election schedules for Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and the Union Territory of Puducherry.

While polling in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu will begin on April 23, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry will vote from April 9. The counting of votes for all five elections will be held on May 4.

The coming weeks are expected to witness intense campaigning across Bengal as political parties gear up for what is likely to be one of the fiercest electoral battles of 2026.