TheElection Commission of India has announced that a total of 2,926 candidates are contesting the upcoming Assembly elections in West Bengal, following the completion of the nomination and withdrawal process. The election schedule for multiple states, including Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and West Bengal, along with by-elections in six states, was earlier declared on March 15, 2026. For West Bengal, the nomination process for Phase II concluded on April 9, with scrutiny conducted on April 10. The final date for withdrawal of nominations was April 13. With nearly 3,000 candidates in the fray the West Bengal Assembly elections are set to witness intense political competition.
Phase-wise Candidate
According to official data released by the Commission the total number of candidates after withdrawals is as follows:
Phase I: 1,478 candidates across 152 Assembly constituencies
Phase II: 1,448 candidates across 142 Assembly constituencies
This brings the total number of candidates contesting in West Bengal to 2,926 across 294 constituencies, indicating a highly competitive electoral landscape.
Transparency and Accessibility Measures
TheElection Commission has emphasized transparency and voter awareness in the electoral process. Citizens can access detailed information about candidates including educational qualifications, criminal records, and financial disclosures through the ECINet mobile application under the “Know Your Candidate” feature.
In addition, Returning Officers will publish the final list of contesting candidates in the Official Gazette, as mandated under the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961. All election-related documents, including nomination papers and scrutiny records, will be securely preserved.
Voter-Friendly Innovations
To enhance voter convenience, the Commission has introduced improved ballot design in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Ballot papers will feature colored photographs of candidates, along with their names, serial numbers, and party symbols in larger fonts, making it easier for voters to identify candidates.
