WB Election Duty 2026: The Election Commission has issued a detailed set of guidelines regarding mock polls and extended voting hours for the upcoming 2026 West Bengal Assembly Elections. State government employees assigned to WB Election Duty 2026 must strictly follow this revised schedule, which mandates conducting mock polls 90 minutes prior to actual voting and extends the final polling time to 6:00 PM.
Latest Update on Election Schedule
Following the official announcement on March 15, 2026, the Election Commission of India has structured the West Bengal Assembly Elections in just two phases (Source: Election Commission of India). According to the latest information, Phase 1 polling will take place on April 23, 2026, and Phase 2 on April 29, 2026. The counting of votes is scheduled for May 4, 2026. This is a significant shift from previous multi-phase elections in the state and will require meticulous planning by the state government employees managing the polling stations.
Essential Rules for WB Election Duty 2026
To ensure the flawless functioning of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), conducting a mock poll is a mandatory preliminary step. Polling officials are directed to observe the following rules:
- Timing: The mock poll must commence exactly one and a half hours before the actual voting starts. Since regular polling begins at 7:00 AM, the mock poll must be initiated at 5:30 AM.
- Waiting for Agents: Polling agents from various political parties are expected to be present. However, if any candidate’s agent fails to arrive on time, the Presiding Officer will wait for a maximum of 15 minutes before proceeding with the mock poll.
- Vote Count: A minimum of 50 votes must be cast during the mock poll session to properly test the machine.
- Checking All Buttons: Officials must ensure that every candidate button on the EVM, including the NOTA (None of the Above) option, is tested with at least one vote to verify full functionality.
Revised Polling Hours
Taking into account voter convenience, the voting window has been extended compared to several past instances where polling concluded at 5:00 PM.
- Start Time: 7:00 AM
- End Time: 6:00 PM
Queue Management and Post-Poll Duties
The duties of the state government employees acting as Presiding and Polling Officers extend beyond the 6:00 PM deadline. If there is an existing queue of voters at the polling booth exactly at 6:00 PM, all individuals in that line must be allowed to cast their votes. The Presiding Officer is required to distribute numbered slips starting from the last person in the queue to prevent any new arrivals from joining. Once every voter has exercised their franchise, the polling team must begin the critical tasks of sealing the EVMs, securing all statutory documents, and preparing the materials for dispatch to the receiving centers.
For state employees on WB Election Duty 2026, adhering to these protocols ensures a transparent and hassle-free democratic process.
