The Election Commission gears up for a crucial intervention in West Bengal with its full bench set to arrive on March 1 for a two-day assessment. This follows closely on the heels of the final voter list publication on February 28, coinciding with the end of the state’s Special Intensive Revision process.
Finalized in a Tuesday powwow at ECI headquarters in New Delhi, the visit involves CEO Manoj Kumar Agarwal presenting a comprehensive update to the commissioners.
In Kolkata, expect closed-door meetings with the entire electoral machinery—from additional CEOs to district-level officers—to scrutinize the SIR outcomes and election roadmap.
Polling schedules for the 2026 assembly polls are on the horizon, with announcements slated for early March, as per directives from the meeting.
Phasing emerged as a hot topic. Agarwal made a compelling case for single-phase voting, backed by sufficient central forces. The ECI assured a cap at three phases, marking a potential shift from the multi-phase norm since 2001.
Single-phase polls carry pros like quicker results and cons such as heightened security needs in a polarized state. Historical precedents show Bengal’s elections stretching to six-eight phases.
This high-profile visit reaffirms the ECI’s resolve to navigate Bengal’s complex political terrain, ensuring transparency and security for millions of voters.