The Election Commission (EC) of India has begun its final round of preparedness review ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, with West Bengal being the last poll-bound state on its itinerary. The announcement of election dates is now expected soon after the Commission completes its visit.
Election Commission reviews poll preparedness in West Bengal
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, held a detailed review meeting in Kolkata on Monday to assess arrangements for the forthcoming West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections.
The visit is part of the Commission’s routine exercise to evaluate readiness in states heading for polls. The panel has already conducted similar reviews in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam and the Union Territory of Puducherry.
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The terms of the Assemblies in these states are set to end between May and June. The West Bengal Assembly’s tenure ends on 7 May, Tamil Nadu’s on 10 May, Assam’s on 20 May, Kerala’s on 23 May, and Puducherry’s on 15 June.
When could the election dates be announced?
The Election Commission usually announces poll schedules shortly after completing its review visits to poll-bound states. Since West Bengal is the final state on the Commission’s tour, the announcement could come any time after the CEC-led team returns from the state on 10 March.
Political parties raise concerns over phases and security
During meetings with political parties in Kolkata, several parties shared their views on how the elections should be conducted.
Opposition parties reportedly urged the Commission to limit the number of phases to fewer than three. West Bengal has 294 Assembly seats.
The ruling Trinamool Congress raised concerns about the recently concluded Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The party asked the Commission to ensure the process is “full proof” and complies fully with the Supreme Court’s directions.
The BJP delegation requested that the election be held in a single phase or at most two phases. The party also called for measures to ensure violence-free polling and submitted a 16-point charter highlighting security concerns.
The CPI(M) also supported a single-phase election, arguing that multiple phases allow anti-social elements to move across constituencies. State CPI(M) secretary Mohammed Salim said that if a single phase is not possible, the election should not extend beyond two phases.
What happened in the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections?
The 2021 West Bengal Assembly election was conducted in eight phases between 27 March and 29 April.
The Trinamool Congress, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, secured a decisive victory and returned to power. The Bharatiya Janata Party emerged as the principal opposition with 77 seats.
For the first time in the state’s electoral history, neither the Congress nor the Communist Party won a seat in the Assembly.
Electoral roll revision and voter changes
Ahead of the upcoming elections, a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was conducted in most poll-bound states.
According to the revision, the number of voters declined in several states, including Tamil Nadu (11.55%), Kerala (3.22%), West Bengal (8%) and Puducherry (7.57%).
In West Bengal, the voter list released on 28 February includes more than 60 lakh voters marked under “adjudication.” Their eligibility is being examined by court-appointed judicial officers. Once cleared, their names will be added to the final electoral roll and they will be eligible to vote in the Assembly elections.
