With the 2026 Assembly Elections on the horizon, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has shifted into high gear. The Deputy Election Commissioner is visiting West Bengal once again to scrutinize the state’s preparedness for the upcoming polls. This visit is seen as a crucial step before the final announcement of the election schedule, focusing on whether the state’s machinery is ready to handle a high-stakes democratic exercise.

Sources indicate that the Commissioner will hold extensive review meetings with the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal, District Election Officers, and top brass of the state police. The primary agenda remains the identification of “vulnerable” and “critical” polling stations. Given the state’s sensitive electoral history, the commission is reportedly planning a massive deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to ensure a violence-free environment.

The visit comes amidst rising political temperatures, with opposition parties demanding stricter oversight and the ruling dispensation emphasizing administrative autonomy. The Deputy Commissioner will also oversee the progress of the Special Summary Revision of electoral rolls and the logistical arrangements at the booth level. It is expected that the findings from this visit will play a decisive role in determining the number of phases and the overall security blueprint for what is being called the most anticipated election in the country.