Why Bengal polls will be held in just 2 phases this time

(Representative Image)

The Election Commission on Sunday announced the polling schedule for Assembly elections in four states — Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal — along with the Union Territory of Puducherry.

In a significant shift from the previous election, West Bengal will vote in just two phases on April 23 and April 29, a sharp reduction from the eight-phase polling held during the last Assembly elections.

In 2021, voting in the state was conducted over eight phases spanning nearly a month — beginning in March and concluding with the eighth and final phase on April 29.

Explaining the change, the Election Commission said the decision was taken to simplify the process.

“The number of phases has been brought down to two for everyone’s convenience,” Election Chief Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said.

During its recent two-day visit to West Bengal, the Commission held consultations with several political parties to gather feedback on the election schedule and the number of polling phases.

Political leaders have often argued that multi-phase elections stretch the campaign over a longer period, increasing both financial costs and logistical pressure on candidates and political parties.

Extended polling schedules also make the process more demanding for election officials and security personnel while prolonging the overall electoral exercise.

Another factor influencing the election schedule is the tenure of the current West Bengal Assembly. The term of the Assembly is set to end on May 7, and under constitutional provisions, elections must be conducted before the expiry of the Assembly’s term to ensure continuity of governance.

Security considerations have also played a role in determining the polling timeline. West Bengal has historically witnessed intense political contests during elections, prompting the deployment of large numbers of central forces to maintain law and order.

Around 480 battalions of central security forces have already been deployed across the state in preparation for the polls, reported NDTV. The deployment is aimed at ensuring peaceful voting and maintaining security during the election period.