The excitement for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly Elections is reaching a fever pitch. According to internal sources, the Election Commission of India (ECI) is likely to announce the poll schedule on March 2. Interestingly, unlike the 8-phase marathon in 2021, the upcoming elections are expected to be conducted in just three phases.

This speculation comes at a time when the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is in its final leg, with the final list expected to be published by late February. Sources indicate that the ECI is considering a condensed schedule to ensure efficient deployment of central forces and swift completion of the process. While official confirmation is awaited, administrative meetings in New Delhi suggest that the election machinery is already in top gear. The possibility of fewer phases has already sparked debates among political parties regarding security and fair play.