Massive 90% voter turnout till 5 pm in phase 1 of Bengal polls (Img: Internet)
Kolkata: The first phase of the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 recorded an impressive voter turnout of 89.93% by 5 PM on April 23, reflecting high public participation. Dakshin Dinajpur emerged as one of the top-performing districts, reporting over 93% polling.
Voting took place across 152 constituencies in 16 districts, with approximately 3.6 crore eligible voters deciding the fate of 1,452 candidates. Polling began at 7 AM and continued steadily through the day.
West Bengal voting percentage reaches 89.93% and Tamil Nadu 83% till 5 pm, with the Election Commission set to release final figures soon.@ECISVEEP @ceowestbengal @TNElectionsCEO#WestBengalElections2026 #TNElections2026 #VoterTurnout #IndiaVotes #ElectionUpdates pic.twitter.com/nZQUjiiepC
— Dynamite News (@DynamiteNews_) April 23, 2026
The Election Commission implemented extensive security arrangements, deploying around 2,450 central paramilitary companies along with nearly 2.5 lakh personnel to ensure smooth voting.
A recent revision of voter rolls led to a reduction of nearly 12% in the electorate, making this election distinct from previous cycles. Authorities remained on alert amid reports of sporadic disturbances in some areas.
The electoral battle is primarily between the ruling Trinamool Congress led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the Bharatiya Janata Party. Both parties have intensified campaigning, particularly in north Bengal, a region seen as crucial to the overall outcome.
West Bengal Elections 2026: 79% voter turnout till 3 pm; Violence reported in some areas
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing rallies in the state, criticised the ruling party over issues such as corruption and governance. He expressed confidence that the election results would bring a political shift.
Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee projected confidence in her party’s performance, stating that early trends suggested a favourable outcome for the TMC. She also reiterated her broader political stance against the central government.
The remaining 142 constituencies will go to the polls on April 29, while counting of votes is scheduled for May 4. With high turnout and intense political exchanges, the first phase has set the stage for a closely contested election.
