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West Bengal Assembly Polls Set for April 23 & 29; Results on May 4

The Election Commission has announced a two-phase schedule for the West Bengal Assembly elections, with voting on April 23 and April 29, and results on May 4. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar stated that all arrangements will be made for a free, fair, and violence-free process. The schedule aligns with the requests of opposition parties, who had pleaded for single or two-phase polling during the ECI's recent visit. The Model Code of Conduct is now in effect following the announcement.

Key Points: West Bengal Assembly Election Dates: Two-Phase Polls Announced

  • Two-phase polling on April 23 & 29
  • Results declaration on May 4
  • Opposition parties' plea for fewer phases accepted
  • Model Code of Conduct in effect
3 min read

West Bengal Assembly polls on April 23 and 29; results on May 4

West Bengal Assembly elections on April 23 & 29. Results on May 4. CEC Gyanesh Kumar announces two-phase polling schedule and security measures.

"All necessary arrangements will be made to ensure that the polling process is free, fair and completely violence-free - Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar"

Kolkata, March 15

Elections for the 294-member West Bengal Assembly will be conducted in two phases on April 23 and April 29, while the results will be declared on May 4, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said on Sunday.

In the first phase, scheduled for April 23, polling will be held in 152 Assembly constituencies. In the second phase, on April 29, polling will be conducted in the remaining 142 constituencies.

Polling in the first phase will cover Assembly constituencies across 16 districts, while the second phase will cover constituencies in nine districts.

The last few Assembly elections in West Bengal were held in seven phases.

"After discussing with all stakeholders concerned, the Commission also felt it necessary to conduct the polls in West Bengal in two phases this time. All necessary arrangements will be made to ensure that the polling process is free, fair and completely violence-free," the CEC said on Sunday.

During the recent visit of the full bench of the Election Commission of India (ECI) to West Bengal earlier this month, all political parties -- except the ruling Trinamool Congress -- had pleaded for a single-phase or two-phase polling.

By announcing a two-phase polling schedule for West Bengal on Sunday, the Commission, in a way, accepted the suggestions of the opposition parties in the state.

The gazette notification for the polls will be issued on March 30 for the first phase and on April 2 for the second phase.

The last date for filing nominations will be April 6 for the first phase and April 9 for the second phase. Scrutiny of nominations will take place on April 9 for the first phase and April 10 for the second phase.

The last date for withdrawal of nominations will be April 9 for the first phase and April 13 for the second phase.

Speaking to mediapersons on Sunday afternoon, the CEC also said that the Commission had already sought the names of police officers accused either of involvement or of remaining inactive during the post-poll violence in 2021, and the Commission will take necessary action as required in due course.

Shortly before the election dates were announced by the Commission, the West Bengal government announced an increase in the allowance for priests and muezzins.

On this, Kumar said that the Model Code of Conduct came into effect from the time of the announcement of the polling dates.

"Any government can take any action before the Model Code of Conduct comes into effect. But from now on, the Model Code of Conduct will be effective," he said.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
The timing of the allowance increase for priests and muezzins, just before the MCC came into force, is so obvious. 🤦‍♀️ It's good the CEC clarified the code is active now. Voters need to see beyond such last-minute sops.
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Rahul R
As a Bengali living outside the state, my entire family back home is anxious. The 2021 post-poll violence must not be repeated. Action against police officers involved is crucial. Hoping for a peaceful election this time.
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Andrew M
Interesting to see the EC accepted the opposition's suggestion for fewer phases. Shows they are listening. The compact schedule is efficient, but the real test will be security on the ground. Fingers crossed.
N
Nisha Z
Good decision by ECI. Two phases is manageable. My only request: please ensure strong security for women voters, especially in rural areas. We want to vote without any fear. 🙏
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Karthik V
While the two-phase poll is welcome, I respectfully think the EC could have gone for a single day. With modern technology and forces, it's possible. This still feels like a compromise. But let's hope for the best.
M
Meera T
The announcement schedule is clear

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