The Election Commission of India has enforced a ban on exit polls during the ongoing multi-phase Assembly Elections in West Bengal. This ban is in effect from 7:00 AM on April 9, 2026, until 6:30 PM on April 29, 2026. Exit polls can only be published after a waiting period of 30 minutes following the conclusion of voting.
The Election Commission has imposed this complete ban under Section 126A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Violators may face up to two years of imprisonment or fines. The advisory also extends to media platforms and broadcasters, prohibiting them from conducting or publishing exit polls.
Polling for the remaining 142 seats in West Bengal is scheduled for April 29, 2026. The first phase of voting saw a high voter turnout of 91.91%. Notably, Dakshin Dinajpur district recorded the highest turnout at 94.85%.
Other districts also reported significant participation: Cooch Behar at 94.54%, Birbhum at 93.70%, Jalpaiguri at 93.23%, and Murshidabad at 92.93%. These numbers indicate robust engagement from voters as Mamata Banerjee seeks a fourth consecutive term.
The Election Commission’s actions aim to maintain election integrity amid heightened political activity. The TMC, led by Banerjee, faces strong competition from the BJP in these elections.
As the final voting day approaches, officials continue to monitor compliance with the exit poll ban closely. This situation underscores the importance of free and fair elections in shaping West Bengal’s political landscape.
