ECI steps up preparedness for 2026 assembly polls in West Bengal and Assam with extensive training and review exercises

‎In a major push to strengthen electoral preparedness ahead of upcoming state assembly elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has conducted extensive training and review exercises for election officials in West Bengal and Assam, underscoring its focus on ensuring violence-free, transparent and technology-enabled polling processes, the poll panel said in a press note on Wednesday.

‎For the West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections scheduled for 2026, the ECI organised a comprehensive training programme for all 294 Returning Officers (ROs) across divisional headquarters in Jalpaiguri, Malda, Presidency, Burdwan and Medinipur. The Commission reiterated its commitment to conducting elections “in a violence-free, intimidation-free and inducement-free manner so that every elector can vote without fear or favour,” a principle earlier emphasised by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar during his review visit to the state on March 9.

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‎The training sessions, conducted by National Level Master Trainers and senior ECI officials, covered the full spectrum of electoral processes, including nomination filing, scrutiny of nominations, disqualification rules, Model Code of Conduct compliance, withdrawal of candidature, symbol allocation, polling-day arrangements and counting procedures. Officials were also briefed on statutory responsibilities under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which defines the legal framework governing Returning Officers.

‎A key focus of the programme was enhancing transparency at the polling station level. The Commission directed that Presiding Officers must mandatorily share signed copies of Form 17C, which records the account of votes cast, with all polling agents present at the close of polling, strengthening accountability and confidence in the process.

‎The ECI also introduced expanded digital monitoring through the ECINET platform. Presiding Officers were instructed to upload voter turnout data every two hours, as well as at the end of polling, using a dedicated app module. This data will be automatically compiled at the Returning Officer level to generate near real-time voting trends, improving monitoring and administrative responsiveness on polling day.

‎The Commission said this structured training programme complements ongoing capacity-building initiatives being undertaken by the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal, ensuring uniform standards and preparedness across all constituencies ahead of the elections.

‎Meanwhile, in Assam — where assembly elections are scheduled for April 9, 2026 — the ECI conducted an online review and training session for District Election Officers (DEOs), Superintendents of Police (SPs), Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) and Commissioners of Police. The review focused on both administrative readiness and law-and-order preparedness, with senior officials assessing ground-level arrangements across districts.

‎Reiterating its core directive, the Commission said elections must be conducted in a “violence-free, intimidation-free and inducement-free manner so that every elector can vote without fear or favour in a festive atmosphere,” recalling earlier instructions issued during the Chief Election Commissioner’s visit to Assam on February 18, 2026.

During the review, officials examined multiple aspects of preparedness, including Assured Minimum Facilities (AMF) at polling stations, EVM logistics, training of election personnel, seizure management, voter awareness drives and outreach programmes aimed at improving participation.

‎Special emphasis was placed on polling-day procedures and digital transparency. Presiding Officers were again instructed to ensure distribution of signed Form 17C copies to polling agents at the close of voting and to upload voter turnout data on the ECINET platform at regular intervals and after polling concludes, enabling real-time monitoring of turnout trends.

‎District Election Officers in Assam were directed to ensure distribution of Voter Information Slips (VIS) to all electors at least five days before polling, along with voter guides to every household. The Chief Electoral Officer of Assam also announced that Braille-enabled VIS materials will be issued for visually impaired voters, reinforcing inclusive participation.

‎In addition, DEOs were instructed to process permissions for campaign-related activities submitted through the Suvidha module of ECINET within 24 hours on a first-come, first-served basis, ensuring impartial and timely clearance of election-related requests.

‎Given Assam’s challenging geography, particularly riverine and remote areas, officials were also directed to strengthen safety arrangements and ensure adequate rescue and emergency response measures at vulnerable polling stations.

‎Together, the training and review initiatives reflect the ECI’s broader strategy of combining legal compliance, administrative preparedness and digital monitoring systems to reinforce electoral integrity and efficiency ahead of the 2026 assembly elections.