The Election Commission of India announced the poll schedule for the assembly elections that will be held for 126 constituencies in Assam, 140 in Kerala, 234 in Tamil Nadu, 294 in West Bengal and 30 in Puducherry as the terms of their assemblies are set to come to an end in May and June. Bengal will see the most high stakes battle with two-time Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee facing a tough challenge from the BJP amid an exodus from her Trinamool Congress to the BJP and corruption investigations against her party leaders.
Key Dates in West Bengal
March 27 - Phase 1
April 2 - Phase 2
April 16 - Phase 3
April 10 - Phase 4
April 17 - Phase 5
April 22 - Phase 6
April 26 - Phase - 7
April 28 - Phase 8
Counting of votes - May 2
Phase 1 of West Bengal assembly election:
Total number of seats: 38 seatsDistricts covered: 5Date of notification: March 2Last date of nomination: March 9Last day of withdrawal of candidature: March 12Voting date: March 27
Phase 2 of West Bengal assembly election:
Total number of seats: 30Districts covered: 5Date of notification: March 5Last date of nomination: March 12Last day of withdrawal: March 17Voting date: April 1
Phase 3 of West Bengal assembly election:Total number of seats: 31Date of Notification: March 12Last date of Nomination: March 19Last day of withdrawal: March 22Voting date: April 6
Phase 4 of West Bengal assembly election:Total number of seats: 44Date of notification: March 16Last day of nomination: March 23Last day of withdrawal: March 26Voting date: April 10
Phase 5 of West Bengal assembly election:Total number of seats: 45Date of notification: March 23Last day of nomination: March 30Last day of withdrawal: April 3Voting date: April 17
Phase 6 of West Bengal assembly election:Total number of seats: 43Date of notification: March 26Last day of nomination: April 3Last day of withdrawal: April 7Voting date: April 22
Phase 7 of West Bengal assembly election:Total number of seats: 36Date of notification: March 31Last day of nomination: April 7Last day of withdrawal: April 12Voting date: April 26
Phase 8 of West Bengal assembly election:Total number of seats: 35Date of notification: March 31Last day of nomination: April 7Last day of withdrawal: April 12Voting date: April 29