Election Commission reviews poll preparedness for West Bengal Assembly elections in Kolkata
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi reviewed preparations for the coming West Bengal Assembly elections in Kolkata on 9 March 2026.
Summary
The Election Commission of India, led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar with Election Commissioners Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr Vivek Joshi, reviewed poll preparedness for the forthcoming West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections in Kolkata on 9 March 2026. The Commission met recognised national parties (AAP, BJP, CPI(M), INC and NPP) and state parties (All India Forward Bloc and All India Trinamool Congress). The parties asked for large deployment of central armed police forces, action against crude bombs, illegal firearms and money power, and polling in one or two phases. The CEC promised zero tolerance towards violence and intimidation, said the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls had been conducted transparently, and noted that Forms 6, 7 and 8 can still be filed for inclusion, deletion or correction. Under Article 324 of the Constitution, the superintendence, direction and control of elections to Parliament, state legislatures and the offices of President and Vice-President is vested in the Election Commission.
Key facts
- Date and place
- 9 March 2026, Kolkata
- Commission
- CEC Gyanesh Kumar; ECs Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, Vivek Joshi
- Parties' demands
- Large CAPF deployment; one or two phases; curb crude bombs, firearms, money power
- Electoral roll
- SIR conducted; Forms 6/7/8 still open
- Article 324
- Superintendence, direction and control of elections vested in ECI
- CEC removal
- Only like a Supreme Court judge (proviso to Art 324(5))
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Where did the Election Commission of India review poll preparedness for the West Bengal Assembly elections on 9 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Kolkata
The Commission held the review in Kolkata, meeting political parties and enforcement and district officials.
Which forms did the CEC say could still be filed for inclusion, deletion or correction in the West Bengal electoral rolls after the SIR?
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Correct answer: B — Forms 6, 7 and 8
CEC Gyanesh Kumar said Forms 6/7/8 can still be filed for any inclusions, deletions or changes.
Consider the following statements about Article 324 of the Constitution: 1. It vests the superintendence, direction and control of elections to the offices of President and Vice-President in the Election Commission. 2. The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed from office only in like manner and on the like grounds as a Judge of the Supreme Court. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: Article 324(1) covers elections to Parliament, state legislatures and the offices of President and Vice-President, and the proviso to Article 324(5) protects the CEC with Supreme Court-judge-like removal.