The Election Commission of India (ECI) is set to sound the poll bugle for the 2026 Assembly Elections in West Bengal and four other states today, March 15. The ECI’s full bench has called for a press conference at 4 PM at Vigyan Bhawan, Delhi, to officially announce the dates for West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry.

In West Bengal, the primary speculation revolves around the number of phases. While political circles are buzzing with rumors of a shorter, 3-phase election, the commission’s decision will ultimately depend on ground-level security assessments and the availability of central paramilitary forces. Given the recent political unrest, the ECI’s priority remains ensuring a free and fair polling process. The announcement will immediately trigger the Model Code of Conduct across the state, bringing an end to any new government policy announcements. As the 4 PM deadline approaches, political tension is at an all-time high across the state.