Election periods in India are usually seen as celebrations of democracy, but in some regions, they are also marked by violence. In recent years, West Bengal has stood out as the state with the highest number of election-related violent incidents and deaths.
Just days after the Election Commission announced the schedule for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections on March 15, a local political worker was killed in North 24 Parganas. Police suspect that the incident may have been linked to internal party rivalry. However, such incidents are not new in the state.
Data analysis by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), an international conflict monitoring group, shows that West Bengal has recorded more election violence than any other state in India over the past six years.
Since 2020, the state has accounted for about 35 per cent of all election-related violent events in the country. Even more concerning, it has recorded over half of the total election-related deaths during this period.
The scale of violence in West Bengal is much higher than in other large states. During the 2021 Assembly elections, the state witnessed around 300 violent incidents and 58 deaths. This made it the most violent election in recent Indian history.
To understand the difference, it is useful to compare it with other states. In Andhra Pradesh’s 2024 elections, there were 89 violent events but only three deaths. In Uttar Pradesh’s 2022 elections, there were 50 incidents across more than 400 constituencies. Maharashtra recorded even fewer incidents during its recent elections.
When we look at the number of incidents per constituency, the gap becomes even clearer. West Bengal had more than one violent event per constituency in 2021, while other large states had much lower figures.
Even smaller states reported fewer incidents. For example, Tripura and Manipur saw dozens of violent events, but still far less than West Bengal. This shows that election violence in Bengal is not just slightly higher, but significantly more intense.
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The 2021 West Bengal elections were held in eight phases over more than a month. During this period, violence increased steadily. The worst month was April, with over 120 incidents and several deaths. In May, when election results were announced, violence continued, with many attacks reported after the ruling party’s victory.
Most of the incidents were riots, which made up the majority of the violence. There were also attacks on civilians and a few armed clashes. Many of these incidents involved clashes between supporters of rival political parties.
According to ACLED data, political parties have been involved in some of these incidents. The Trinamool Congress was identified as a key actor in a large number of cases, while the Bharatiya Janata Party was also involved in several incidents. However, a large number of events were linked to unidentified groups or mobs, which makes it difficult to assign responsibility in every case.
The violence often includes clashes between party workers, attacks on supporters of rival groups, and damage to property. In some cases, the violence is linked to long-standing local rivalries, which become more intense during elections.
As the 2026 elections approach, there are signs that the situation may be slightly better so far. Early data shows fewer incidents compared to the same period before the 2021 elections. However, experts say it is too early to draw conclusions, as violence often increases closer to polling dates and after results are announced.
The 2026 elections in West Bengal will be held in two phases, unlike the eight-phase election in 2021. Some believe that fewer phases may reduce the time available for violence to spread. However, much will depend on how political parties, authorities and voters behave during the election period.
Election violence is a serious concern because it affects not just political workers, but also ordinary citizens. It can create fear, disrupt daily life and reduce trust in the democratic process.
To address this issue, strong measures are needed. These include better law enforcement, strict action against those involved in violence, and efforts by political parties to maintain peace. Voters also play an important role by rejecting violence and supporting peaceful participation.
West Bengal’s experience shows that while elections are a key part of democracy, they can also bring challenges if not handled carefully. Reducing violence will require cooperation from all sides, including political leaders, administration and the public.
In the end, elections should be about choice, debate and participation—not fear and conflict. Ensuring peaceful elections is essential for strengthening democracy and protecting the rights of citizens.
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