West Bengal records 92.47% polling in two-phase; highest-ever voter turnout since Independence

Kolkata: West Bengal recorded a voter turnout of 92.47% on Wednesday amid the ongoing second phase of polling for the assembly elections

According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), Purba Bardhaman district topped the charts with the highest voter turnout of 83.11% so far, with Hooghly following with 80.77% turnout.

Nadia district recorded a turnout of 79.79% while Kolkata North and South recorded 78% and 75.38% voter turnout, respectively, during the same period. Additionally, South 24 Paraganas also saw massive participation of people with 76.75% voter turnout.

Exit poll results for the West Bengal elections are expected to be released after 6:30 pm. Until then, the Election Commission has prohibited the publication of any poll-related predictions or data.

As of 11 am, West Bengal recorded a voter turnout of 39.97 per cent in the final phase of polling.

Mamata Banerjee casts her vote in Kolkata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday cast her vote at a polling station in Kolkata for the second phase of the Assembly elections.

Banerjee is contesting the Assembly polls as a Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidate from the Bhabanipur constituency.

After casting her vote, Banerjee alleged that the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel have been beating people up and taking them into custody. She further asserted that TMC will win despite such incidents that amount to contempt of court.

Polling peacefully underway, turnout may surpass first phase: Bengal CEO Agarwal

The second phase of voting in West Bengal was progressing peacefully amid elaborate security arrangements, the state's Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal said on Wednesday, exuding confidence that the turnout might surpass the first phase figures.

More than 60 per cent of the 3.21 crore electors voted till 1 pm in the second phase of polling in West Bengal amid sporadic violence and attacks on candidates.

Agarwal said extensive security deployment and close monitoring were ensuring a smooth voting process across the state.

"In the first phase, West Bengal showed the country that a 93 per cent voter turnout is possible, and that elections can be free and fair. In this phase as well, we aim to match or even exceed that benchmark," Agarwal said.

Meanwhile, state LoP and BJP candidate from Bhabanipur and Nandigram, Suvendu Adhikari alleged, "Hooligans attacked me at Booth Number 217... Mamata's goons are not voters; they are all outsiders.”

West Bengal voting sees clashes: Lathi-charge at Bhabanipur, intimidation allegations surface

Voting in West Bengal witnessed tense scenes on Wednesday as police carried out a lathi-charge at a polling booth in Bhabanipur following allegations by BJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari that he was attacked by TMC workers. In a separate incident in Howrah, TMC leaders accused a BJP-linked individual of attempting to intimidate voters with a sharp object in the Narsingh Bose Lane area. Police later confirmed that the accused person was arrested. The developments come amid heightened political tensions as polling continues across key constituencies.

Amit Malviya alleges voters barred from supporting BJP
The West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) stated that any polling booth found to have EVM buttons tampered with or taped will be subjected to repolling, following allegations of irregularities raised by the BJP in Falta under the Diamond Harbour constituency.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Amit Malviya claimed that at multiple polling booths in Falta, within the Diamond Harbour constituency, voters were not allowed to cast their votes in favour of the BJP.

Voting in Ward No. 72 of Baranagar was reportedly disrupted after an EVM malfunction led to a halt in the process.

Angry voters gathered outside the booth alleging delays in the polling process. The EVM was said to be non-functional, with voters stating that voting, which was scheduled to begin at 7 am, had still not started even by 9:30 am.

BJP polling agent Mosharraf Mir has alleged that he was attacked by individuals he described as TMC “goons”, claiming they were criminals and were seen carrying firearms.

Mir serves as a polling agent at Booth No. 52 in Hatra Panchayat under the Chapra Assembly constituency in West Bengal.

Fake EVM reported

BJP candidate Arjun Singh alleged that a camp had been set up about 100 metres from a polling booth, where a fake EVM was reportedly placed and voters were being instructed on how to cast their votes.

He further said that campaigning is not permitted on polling day and added that he would be filing a complaint with the Election Commission. Singh also remarked that there was no point in approaching the police regarding the matter.

Voter turnout 

As of 9 am, West Bengal recorded a voter turnout of 18.39% in the final phase of polling.

According to the Election Commission of India, Purba Bardhaman reported the highest participation so far with 20.86% of voters exercising their franchise.

A clash erupted between TMC and ISF supporters at Booth No. 147 in Ramchandrapur, under Rajhati-1 Panchayat in Khanakul, Hooghly district, following allegations regarding the deployment of fake polling agents.

Suvendu Adhikari cast vote

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari reached Bhabanipur on Wednesday morning to cast his vote. He is contesting against Mamata Banerjee from the constituency, while also being a candidate from Nandigram.

Speaking at the site, Adhikari questioned the Chief Minister’s presence in the area despite restrictions. “Section 163 of the BNSS is in force here. Mamata Banerjee is moving around with a group of people. Why is she roaming here?” he asked.

Mamata Banerjee alleges violence

West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC candidate from Bhabanipur, Mamata Banerjee, on Wednesday accused central forces and election authorities of irregularities during the ongoing voting process.

She alleged that newly deployed personnel were acting arbitrarily and interfering in the election.

“Is this how elections are conducted? Voting should be done by the people, not by the police or security forces. Some new people have been brought in recently, and they are doing as they please. They are spreading terror,” she said.

Violence reported

In Howrah, voters alleged that polling was delayed and only began around 8:30 am after three unsuccessful attempts to start the voting process.

As per reports, confusion broke out outside a polling booth in the area after a technical glitch in the machine led to the delay.

Incidents of violence and vandalism were reported in the early hours of polling during the second phase across several areas, including Chapra, Shantipur, Nimtala, and Bhangar.

Leaders cast votes

Dinesh Trivedi, recently appointed as India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, was seen casting his vote in Kolkata’s Ballygunge constituency. The former minister exercised his franchise during polling in the city, drawing attention due to his new diplomatic assignment.
TMC MP Mahua Moitra cast her vote at polling booth number 120 at Karimpur Girls High School in Nadia.

Voting for the final phase of the West Bengal elections has officially begun. Polling booths have been established across key regions including Kolkata, Nandigram, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Purba Burdwan, Nadia and several other districts.

EVM glitch reported

The BJP candidate from Panihati, who is also the mother of the RG Kar rape-murder victim, reported a “slight problem” with a voting machine during polling, raising concern briefly at the booth.

PM urges record voter turnout

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday made a strong appeal for higher voter participation in West Bengal, shortly after polling began for the final phase covering the remaining 142 Assembly constituencies.

“I urge all those who are voting today to cast their votes in record numbers to make our democracy more vibrant and participatory. In particular, it is extremely urgent that the women and youth power of West Bengal turn out in large numbers to exercise their voting rights,” PM Modi said in a tweet.

Final phase voting underway

Voting for the second and final phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections is taking place today, April 29, 2026.

More than 1,448 candidates are contesting, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, across 142 constituencies. Polling is being conducted in 41,001 stations spread across eight districts.

Key contest and political stakes

The incumbent Trinamool Congress government, led by Mamata Banerjee, is aiming to secure a fourth consecutive term in office. The Chief Minister is engaged in a closely watched contest against Bharatiya Janata Party leader Suvendu Adhikari in the Bhabanipur constituency. Adhikari is also contesting from Nandigram.

The BJP is seeking to improve its position further after securing 77 seats in the 2021 Assembly elections.

Early voter turnout begins

Ahead of polling, which is scheduled to commence at 7 am, voters have already started lining up outside polling stations in several parts of the state.

Early queues have been reported from areas including Kolkata and South 24 Parganas, indicating strong public participation in the electoral process.

Extensive security deployment

Security arrangements have been significantly strengthened for the final phase of voting. Nearly 2,400 companies of Central Armed Police Forces have been deployed across the state, according to Special Electoral Roll Observer Subrata Gupta. The deployment is aimed at ensuring a peaceful and orderly polling process.

Looking back at the 2021 elections

The previous Assembly elections in West Bengal were conducted in 2021 across eight phases, spanning from March 27 to April 29, with an overall voter turnout of nearly 85 per cent. This period coincided with the onset of the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in the country.

In those elections, Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress secured a decisive victory with 215 seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party won 77 seats. The Congress and the Communist Party of India Marxist were unable to win any seats.

Mock polls conducted ahead of voting

In preparation for the final phase, mock polling exercises were carried out in multiple locations, including Purba Burdwan, Durgapur, Nadia, Ballygunge and South 24 Parganas. These drills were conducted ahead of the official start time of 7 am to ensure that all systems function smoothly during voting.