For West Bengal, a proposal has been made to outlaw the selling of alcoholic beverages starting two days prior to the election. The prohibition has already been implemented, and the election is scheduled for April 23. In the regions where voting is scheduled for Thursday, alcohol sales have ceased.
"It has been observed that there is an unusual spurt in sales of spirits," the Election Commission said in a statement.Additionally, compared to the same period last year, retailers' lifting of packaged spirits from WBSBCL Depots increased dramatically in April 2026. Additionally, the number of sensitive stores found using the specified criteria has increased abnormally," the statement continued.

The Commission stated that it had drawn this conclusion from a number of sources, including liquor monitoring initiatives. According to the survey body, sales of alcohol in April were higher than those in the same month last year.
The ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP, which is vying for control of the state, are expected to engage in a fierce battle in Bengal.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar declared on Monday that every effort will be made to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections in Bengal. According to the Commission, no employee of the state government, local governments, or autonomous organisations would be permitted to have an impact on the election process.

Since the polls were announced, the poll commission has also rearranged state police and bureaucrats, which has angered the ruling party and the state government once more.