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106 history-sheeters arrested in ECI crackdown in West Bengal
On April 20, 2026, the Election Commission of India announced a crackdown in West Bengal, arresting 106 history-sheeters across Cooch Behar, South 24 Parganas and Murshidabad. The arrests were made on ECI directions as part of preventive detention ahead of Phase 1 polls, with 2,193 Quick Response Teams deployed and a rule that SHO/OC faces suspension if arms or explosives are found on polling day. The piece also notes the TMC’s petition to Calcutta High Court over potential detentions, and outlines Phase 1 on April 23 and Phase 2 on April 29, with results on May 4.
Why It Matters
The timeline shows the ECI's aggressive security and enforcement posture ahead of elections and the legal-political contest surrounding potential detentions of party workers.
Timeline
8 Events
Phase 1 and Phase 2 results date
April 20, 2026
Results are to be declared on May 4, 2026.
Phase 2 voting scheduled for April 29
April 20, 2026
Phase 2 voting across the remaining constituencies is scheduled for April 29, 2026.
Phase 1 voting scheduled for April 23
April 20, 2026
Phase 1 voting across 152 constituencies is scheduled for April 23, 2026, as part of a two-phase election.
Elector rolls for Phase 1 detailed
April 20, 2026
Phase 1 electors total 3,60,77,171, consisting of 1,84,99,496 men, 1,75,77,210 women, and 465 third-gender voters; rolls subject to further revision pending tribunal verification.
TMC petitions Calcutta High Court over possible detentions
April 20, 2026
The Trinamool Congress filed a petition before a Calcutta High Court Division Bench alleging that around 800 party workers could be detained before the polls; the plea was admitted, with the first hearing scheduled for April 22.
SHO/OC suspension directive on polling day
April 20, 2026
ECI directives state that local Station House Officers and Officer-in-Charges will face suspension if arms or explosives are found within their jurisdiction on polling day.
ECI deploys 2,193 Quick Response Teams for Phase 1
April 20, 2026
The Commission deployed 2,193 Quick Response Teams across all constituencies for Phase 1, with heightened focus on sensitive and border districts.
106 history-sheeters arrested in three West Bengal districts
April 20, 2026
The Election Commission of India carried out an overnight crackdown in West Bengal, arresting 106 history-sheeters from Cooch Behar, South 24 Parganas, and Murshidabad on directions of the ECI, as part of preventive detention ahead of Phase 1 polls.