West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026: Strict Security, Voting Rules & Model Code Enforcement Ensured for a Free, Fair and Peaceful Polling Process

KalimNews, Kalimpong, April 21, 2026 : In connection with the West Bengal Legislative Assembly Elections 2026, the first phase of polling is scheduled to be held on 23rd April 2026 across 16 districts of the state, including Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, Uttar Dinajpur, Dakshin Dinajpur, Malda, Murshidabad, Birbhum, Paschim Bardhaman, Purulia, Bankura, Jhargram, Paschim Medinipur, and Purba Medinipur.

The Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal, Kolkata, in an official notice dated 20 April 2026, has issued important instructions to ensure a free, fair, peaceful, and transparent electoral process.

All voters are required to present valid identification documents, such as the EPIC (Elector’s Photo Identity Card) or any other approved government ID, before being allowed to cast their vote. Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will assist in verifying voter details from the electoral roll, and no individual will be permitted to vote without proper verification at the polling station.

It has been further made mandatory that voters must carry their voter information slip to exercise their franchise. Even if a voter correctly provides their part number and other relevant details, voting will not be permitted without producing the voter information slip.

Voting remains completely confidential. To maintain secrecy and security of the electoral process, voters carrying mobile phones must deposit them at designated mobile phone deposit counters or at entry points outside polling stations. In many locations, this process will be supervised by police personnel or Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF).

Strict prohibitions have been enforced inside polling stations, including a complete ban on photography, selfies, or video recording of the voting process. It has also been clearly stated that there are no CCTV cameras inside voting compartments, and there is absolutely no monitoring or tracking through Aadhaar, PAN, or any other digital system. Citizens are urged to ignore and report any false information circulating in this regard.

Central security forces will remain deployed even after polling days to ensure continued safety and public confidence in the electoral process. Voters are strongly encouraged to cast their votes without fear or pressure.

A strict exclusion zone of 100 metres around all polling stations will be enforced. Within this perimeter, all forms of campaigning, gathering, political activity, intimidation, inducement, or canvassing are strictly prohibited. Activities such as liquor distribution, crowd mobilisation, or any attempt to influence voters are punishable under election laws and Election Commission of India directives.

Only voters and authorised polling officials will be permitted inside the polling stations. Mobile phones will not be allowed inside the voting compartment where Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are placed.

In addition, restrictions have been imposed on motorcycle usage to ensure peaceful and violence-free elections. From Polling Day minus 2 onward, motorcycle rallies will not be permitted. Riding motorcycles between 6:00 PM and 6:00 AM will be restricted, except in emergency situations such as medical needs or essential family obligations.

Pillion riding on motorcycles will not be allowed between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM, except in cases of medical emergencies, essential travel, or dropping and picking up school children. On polling day, family pillion riding will be permitted only for voting purposes or essential requirements. Any exemption from these restrictions will require prior written permission from the local police station.

Authorities have been instructed to widely publicise these regulations through print, electronic, and social media channels, and ensure strict enforcement in coordination with district police administrations to prevent any intimidation or disruption of the electoral process.

In compliance with the Election Commission of India’s directives following the announcement of the General Election on 16 March 2026, the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is being strictly enforced across all 294 Assembly Constituencies in West Bengal.

Extensive drives have been undertaken to remove unauthorized political advertisements and defacement from public and private properties. According to official reports, such materials have been successfully cleared across districts, with District Election Officers certifying the removal from all public properties under their jurisdiction.

District-wise data on defacement removal includes:

• Kalimpong: 593 public property defacements removed
• Darjeeling: 7,348 public and 687 private property defacements removed (total 8,035)
• North 24 Parganas: 31,789 public and 105 private property defacements removed (total 31,920), among the highest reported

These measures reflect the administration’s continued commitment to ensuring a transparent, secure, and peaceful electoral process. Citizens are encouraged to participate responsibly and exercise their democratic right to vote with confidence and without fear.