The upcoming West Bengal Assembly election is likely to witness a significant shift in election management strategy, with the Election Commission of India (ECI) seriously exploring the possibility of sharply
reducing the number of polling phases — while simultaneously ramping up central force deployment to unprecedented levels.
According to sources in the state administration, the West Bengal CEO’s office has drawn up an internal estimate suggesting that nearly 2,000 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF)—amounting to around 2.4 lakh personnel—are likely to be required to conduct the election this time. This would be nearly double the deployment in the 2021 Assembly polls, reflecting both the plan to compress the election schedule and the state’s unique security sensitivities. This number, sources say, is likely to go up even higher.
EC KEEN TO AVOID LONG-DRAWN POLLS
Well-placed sources in the Election Commission say the poll body is keen to limit the Bengal election to two or three phases, a sharp contrast to the eight-phase schedule followed in 2021. Sources indicate that the Commission is determined that the election will not exceed three phases this time.
The issue was discussed in detail during a crucial meeting held on January 5, when the ECI met chief electoral officers of all poll-bound states. According to EC sources, the Bengal CEO presented his assessment of “how far the number of phases” could be reduced in West Bengal.
During the discussions, West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Aggarwal is believed to have told Deputy Election Commissioner Manish Garg that while the state machinery was prepared to wrap up polling within three phases, such compression would necessitate a substantially higher deployment of central forces. Sources said Aggarwal conveyed that at least double the number of CAPF personnel used in 2021 would be required, with any additional requirement to be assessed based on the number of state police personnel provided by the West Bengal government.
BJP’S 2021 ASSESSMENT
Political considerations are also shaping the thinking within the ruling party at the Centre. A Union minister, speaking to News18 on condition of anonymity, said that during his last visit to West Bengal—ending on December 31, 2025—Union Home Minister Amit Shah told the BJP’s core group that the unusually long election schedule in 2021 had worked to the Trinamool Congress’ advantage.
The 2021 Assembly election in West Bengal was conducted in eight phases between March 27 and April 29 for 292 seats, with two additional seats going to polls later on September 30 due to special circumstances. The prolonged election had unintended consequences: by the time polling was halfway through, the second wave of Covid-19 had hit, severely impacting campaigning and voter mobilisation.
GOING AGAINST THE TREND
Historically, West Bengal has seen a gradual increase in polling phases over the years due to security concerns. The 2011 Assembly election was held in six phases, followed by seven phases in 2016, and eight phases in 2021. If the Election Commission succeeds in limiting the upcoming election to two or three phases, it would mark a decisive departure from this trend.
However, officials stress that such a move will only be possible with massive central force backing, tight logistics, and close coordination between the ECI and the state administration. The final call on phases and deployment is expected once the Commission completes its ground assessments.
What is clear already is that the Bengal election is shaping up to be shorter, more tightly managed, and far more heavily secured than ever before.
