West Bengal Election 2026 Highlights: Polling Concludes Across 152 Seats, Bumper Voting Takes Turnout To 92.73%

In the 2026 Assembly elections, West Bengal recorded a voter turnout of 92.73 per cent, marking highest-ever poll participation since Independence.

The first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections recorded an approximate voter turnout of 91.46 per cent.

State Assembly Elections | Tamil Nadu recorded 84.41% approximate voter turnout

West Bengal (phase 1) recorded 91.46% approximate voter turnout pic.twitter.com/G1ZFDlHFaS

— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2026

Polling officials were seen sealing Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) at a booth in Malda as polling concluded in West Bengal.

#WATCH | West Bengal | EVMs are being sealed by polling officials as the voting for the #WestBengalLegislativeAssemblyelection2026 concludes; Visuals from a polling booth in Malda

As of 5 pm, the approximate voter turnout of 89.93% has been recorded in phase 1 of the elections… pic.twitter.com/j9ZnBcLj2K

— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2026

Polling has concluded across 152 assembly constituencies in West Bengal.

Singer Arijit Singh and his wife Koel Roy cast their votes at Jiyaganj Pritam Singh Primary School polling station in Murshidabad.

#WATCH | West Bengal Assembly Polls: Singer Arijit Singh & his wife Koel Roy leave after casting their votes at Jiyaganj Pritam Singh Primary School polling station in Murshidabad pic.twitter.com/z2ipBerVtk

— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2026

TMC candidate from Harirampur assembly constituency in Dakshin Dinajpur, Biplab Mitra expressed confidence that Mamata Banerjee will once again become the Chief Minister of West Bengal.

#WATCH | Dakshin Dinajpur, West Bengal: TMC candidate from Harirampur assembly, Biplab Mitra says, "... As candidates, we visited different constituencies to monitor the ongoing voting, which caused some delay. Central forces are deployed and doing their duties well, ensuring… https://t.co/1tuQuKpWxX pic.twitter.com/zDqxkhXmhO

— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2026

CRPF personnel deployed in Khairasol Ghumar village under Dubrajpur constituency in Birbhum district were allegedly attacked with stones.

#WATCH | West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026- Phase 1 | People pelted stones at the CRPF personnel deployed in Khairasol Ghumar village of Dubrajpur Assembly constituency of Birbhum district. pic.twitter.com/CvI3XDUCaG

— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2026

Raghunathganj recorded a voter turnout of 95.64% till 5 pm, the highest among all constituencies.

State Assembly Elections | Approximate voter turnout as of 5 pm, Tamil Nadu - 82.24%

West Bengal (phase 1) - 89.93% pic.twitter.com/Vc1gihlxtq

— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2026

Singer Arijit Singh arrived at Jiyaganj polling station to cast his vote.

VIDEO | Murshidabad, West Bengal: Singer Arijit Singh arrives to cast his vote at Jiyaganj polling station. pic.twitter.com/33869WYSPY

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 23, 2026

Clashes broke out between villagers and central forces in Budhpur village of Purulia during the West Bengal Polls 2026, following allegations of an EVM malfunction.

VIDEO | West Bengal Polls 2026: Clashes erupt between villagers and central forces over an alleged EVM malfunction in Budhpur village in Purulia.

(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7)#AssemblyPollsWithPTI#WestBengalPollsWithPTI pic.twitter.com/C79idHzki6

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 23, 2026

TMC candidate from Nandigram, Pabitra Kar, alleged that BJP goons attacked polling agents when they had stepped out.

#WATCH | Nandigram, West Bengal | TMC candidate from Nandigram assembly constituency, Pabitra Kar says, "The polling agents had stepped out, that's when BJP goons attacked them. A complaint will definitely be filed. We will certainly lodge a complaint." pic.twitter.com/QAd41MNYv4

— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2026

Booth Level Officer Deepa Kumari Sarki said that authorities are verifying the identities of burqa-clad women voters. She added that the women are cooperating.

#WATCH | Siliguri, West Bengal | Booth Level Officer Deepa Kumari Sarki says, "We are verifying the identities of the burqa-clad women, they are also cooperating with us...We are verifying from their ID cards..." pic.twitter.com/C0ScqOJLpP

— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2026

BJP leader Locket Chatterjee said the poll violence reported in Murshidabad is deeply saddening. She told PTI, "Poll violence in Murshidabad is very saddening. The Election Commission will probe the incident."

VIDEO | West Bengal election: BJP leader Locket Chatterjee (@me_locket) said, "Poll violence in Murshidabad is very saddening. The Election Commission will probe the incident." #AssemblyPollsWithPTI #WestBengalPollsWithPTI

(Full video available on PTI Videos -… pic.twitter.com/IW49PSjqzG

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 23, 2026

BJP candidate from Barjora, Billeswar Sinha, cast his vote and said the polling process is largely peaceful.

#WATCH | Barjora, West Bengal: BJP candidate from the Barjora constituency assembly, Billeswar Sinha, cast his vote.

He says, "... Almost everything is going peacefully... The force deployment has been executed effectively... This time, there will be a change; the BJP government… pic.twitter.com/ImiOOJqRBu

— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2026

CRPF personnel used mild force to disperse a crowd gathered near a polling station in Dangipara, Siliguri, West Bengal.

#WATCH | Siliguri, West Bengal: The Central Armed Paramilitary Forces (CRPF) personnel dispersed a crowd gathered near a polling station. Mild force was used to disperse the people.

This incident took place in the Dangipara area of ​​Siliguri. pic.twitter.com/MQB52Na14P

— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2026

In West Bengal, 78.77 per cent voter turnout was recorded across 152 assembly constituencies by 3 PM.

TMC MP Shatrughan Sinha on Thursday said he fulfilled his duty by casting his vote for the first time in Asansol. Polling is underway in West Bengal.

VIDEO | West Bengal Election: TMC MP Shatrughan Sinha says, “Fulfilling my duty, I voted for the first time in Asansol.”#AssemblyPollsWithPTI #WestBengalPollsWithPTI

(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/n8axaqld8y

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 23, 2026

Biswajit Mandal, election agent of BJP candidate Debasis Ojha, was allegedly attacked by Trinamool Congress workers in Labpur. He claimed a large mob surrounded him, vandalised his vehicle and assaulted him with sticks.

Birbhum, West Bengal | BJP candidate from Labpur assembly constituency, Debasis Ojha's election agent Biswajit Mandal, was attacked today, allegedly by TMC workers and leaders.

Biswajit Mandal says, "I rushed to Debasis Ojha's locality in my constituency immediately upon… pic.twitter.com/rv7TiroJLV

— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2026

BJP candidate Agnimitra Paul claimed her car was vandalised in the Asansol South Assembly constituency after a large stone was thrown at it in Rahmat Nagar.

#WATCH | West Bengal Elections 2026 | BJP candidate from Asansol South Assembly constituency, Agnimitra Paul says, "My car was attacked and vandalised. I had gone to the Rahmat Nagar minority area when a large boulder was thrown onto my car. The entire back of the car was… https://t.co/1BaYpVFvoz pic.twitter.com/ic6f5BvHB1

— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2026

BJP candidate Subhendu Sarkar alleged he was attacked by Trinamool Congress workers at a polling booth in Kumarganj. He told PTI, "In the Kumarganj area, many of our polling agents were not being allowed to enter. When I went to booth number 24, they attacked us. It was an attempt to create a fearful environment.”

VIDEO | West Bengal Election: BJP candidate Subhendu Sarkar, allegedly attacked by TMC workers in Kumarganj, says, “In the Kumarganj area, many of our polling agents were not being allowed to enter. When I went to booth number 24, they attacked us. It was an attempt to create a… pic.twitter.com/ks64vEMIdE

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 23, 2026

BJP candidate from Asansol South Assembly constituency, Agnimitra Paul's car was vandalised by unknown goons amid the ongoing voting. "As I sat in the car, someone broke the glass of the car with a big stone... This has been happening repeatedly. Who will commit such an incident in a minority area? TMC has very good relations with the minority. The Muslim brothers and sisters are also supporting the BJP now. They cannot do anything by throwing stones at Agnimitra Paul. I have given a complaint in the police station but I have not filed any written complaint," she stated.

Sabina Yasmin, TMC candidate from Sujapur constituency, alleged that the central forces were disrupting the polling. "The Central Forces are creating problems in a lot of polling booths. Their work is to maintain law and order, but they are checking ID cards. Due to this, voting is going slowly. They think that if people remain standing under the Sun for long, they will return without voting. They intend that there should be less voting. We are filing a complaint," she stated.

As per the Election Commission, West Bengal has registered over 62 per cent polling till 1 PM

Congress candidate Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury stated that the EVM at booth 141 has been malfunctioning. He urged the EC officials to intervene to ensure efficiency. "The EVM at booth 141 has been malfunctioning. As a result of this, the common voters who are standing under the Sun have to go back home. It depends on you how this situation can be tackled," the Congress leader said.

"It has been alleged by the Presiding Officer that they have been left in a helpless situation. Right now, your intervention is imperative. The EVM here has been changed for the fourth time, and even the changed EVM is also non-functional," he added.

Congress MP Isha Khan Choudhury stated that Congress will perform better than the previous few polls. "This time, Congress will do far better than before. We will do better recovery in Malda," Choudhury stated. "Some voters' names have been cut... But the public has understood that whenever the election comes, these ruling parties come up with something to divert the public's mind from essential issues," he added.

Amid the ongoing voting, BJP candidate in Kumarganj constituency was allegedly assaulted by an unidentified crowd during his polling booth visit.

A female voter in Siliguri claimed that someone had already cast the vote in her name when she reached the polling booth. "My daughter and I came to vote. I cast my vote, after which we were told that someone had already cast the vote in my daughter's name... We were asked to call the DLO, who said that this is not under me," Gopal Das, father of the voter, was quoted as saying by ANI.

Aid the ongoing voting in Bengal, a major clash broke out between the supporters of TMC and Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AUJP) party workers in Murshidabad.

BJP leader and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar stated that the voting is taking place peacefully, adding that Suvendu Adhikari will win in Nandigram.

"I have cast my vote this morning. Voting is taking place peacefully. I congratulate the Election Commission for this. I appeal to people to come and vote... The Election Commission is very vigilant... I feel that the Election Commission needs to be even more vigilant in places like Murshidabad," he said.

"Peaceful voting is happening in Nandigram as well. Suvendu Adhikari is going to win there by a huge margin," Majumdar added.

Congress senior leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury praised the central forces for conducting the polls in a peaceful manner. "Everything is going well. Central forces are doing a good job... They (our polling agents) are in the booth," he stated.

Amid the ongoing voting for the West Bengal Assembly election, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari visited several vulnerable polling booths in Nandigram.

Amid the ongoing voting for the West Bengal Assembly election, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari visited several vulnerable polling booths in Nandigram.

Pradeep Sarkar, TMC candidate from Kharagpur Sadar, alleged that Dilip Ghosh continued to campaign even on Wednesday. "Even though campaigning ended,(on Tuesday) Dilip Ghosh continued to campaign yesterday. There is no such thing as a 'BJP-belt'. In 2022, I lost by a thin margin. We want to ask the BJP, if Dilip Ghosh was such a good candidate, then why was he removed as the MP? Can the BJP tell why?" he asked.

Amid the ongoing voting, an argument broke out between the supporters of the TMC and BJP in Siliguri assembly constituency, reported ANI.

Amid the reports of heavy ruckus in Murshidabad, ASP Majid Khan assured that the situation is under control. "The situation is peaceful. Nothing has happened anywhere," he stated.

Amid the ongoing polling, a heavy ruckus was reported in Murshidabad district as the TMC members raised slogans against Humayun Kabir.

Shobha Bhakat, a 90-year-old woman, cast her vote in Pashchim Medinipur amid the ongoing polling for the West Bengal Assembly polls.

BJP leader Boora Narsaiah Goud stated that all the section of the society wants a change this time. "Looking at the frustration in the eyes of Mamata Didi and also TMC leaders, it is very clear: not only the Hindus, but most of the Muslim population also would like to have a better life. And a better life is possible in West Bengal only with the BJP government... The wind is towards the BJP," Goud asserted.

Amid the ongoing voting, several people got injured after unidentified people hurled crude bomb in Murshidabad's Nowda region.

The officials stated that voting at few locations was disrupted due to the EVM glitches, reported the news agency PTI.

BJP candidate from Rashbehari, Swapan Dasgupta, stated that the voting is being conducted peacefully. "Atmosphere is very okay. I don't have too much to complain about, except the fact that there is a systematic bid to destroy all our posters by my opponent TMC. Apart from that, and a few incidents of threat to voters, there has been nothing untoward in this constituency," he stated. 

Amid the ongoing voting, the Election Commission informed that 18.6 per cent polling was registered in Bengal till 9 AM.

Mausam Noor, Congress candidate from Malda, stated that the voting is proceeding peacefully in the state. "As a family, we are all going together to cast our votes. This is strengthening my resolve and reinforcing my principles. It is also giving me more support and confidence to go out and cover the elections everywhere. So far, the reports suggest that everything is proceeding peacefully," she said. 

The Election Commission stated that 7,384 out of the 44,000 polling booths have been recognised as 'super-sensitive' or 'critical'.

The Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) is contesting to repeat its government in the eastern state for the fourth time in a row. BJP, the main opposition party for the past few years, is fighting hard to form its government for the first time in Bengal.

The campaign was held around several key issues, including the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll, beneficiary schemes, and law and order.

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari stated that the people sought a change, adding that Sanatana in Bengal will be finished if the BJP is not elected to the power.

"Parivartan hoga. If a change does not take place this time, Sanatana in Bengal will be finished. The Election Commission is doing good work, but there are some goons everywhere. Our polling agent has been arrested. Strict action should be taken immediately," he stated.

Agnimitra Paul, BJP candidate from Asansol South Assembly constituency, cast her vote and asserted that the people of Bengal sought a change this time. "We are sure that the people of Bengal will vote for BJP... They are determined with remove TMC, who is a disgrace to the CM's chair and voters... This is a war to save Bengal. We don't want the politics of Hindu-Muslim," she stated.

"We want employment for the youth and bringing back 40 lakh people, who migrated from here, to come back... You (Mamata Banerjee) are a failure as a Chief Minister and you must leave the seat... Women of the country and this state have also relaised who is one who actually stands with the," the BJP leader added.

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday cast his vote at a polling station in Nandigram. He is also contesting against his former boss CM Mamata Banerjee in the Bhabanipur Assembly Constituency.

Dilip Ghosh, BJP candidate from Kharagpur Sadar, stated that the saffron party will win over 100 seats in the first phase itself. "The BJP's major influence area is in North and South Bengal and I think the BJP will win more than 100 seats there. The path to victory will be clear from here," he stated.  

AJUP founder Humayun Kabir stated that despite unethical approaches by the leading parties, his newly-formed party has remained intact. "After forming the new party, there was a lot of opposition against me... I received tremendous support from my party. I fielded 142 candidates but 25-26 candidates joined TMC. I didn't face any issues nonetheless. Now my party has 117 candidates... TMC is selling tickets... Candidates from my party are being bought off with money... They will get an answer for this in the elections... I am no one's B team," Kabir stated. 

In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the voters, especially women and youth, to exercise their rights by voting. "Phase 1 of the West Bengal Assembly elections takes place today. I urge all citizens to participate in this festival of democracy with full strength. I especially appeal to my young friends and to the women of West Bengal to vote in large numbers," the prime minister stated. 

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari urged the voters to exercise their rights and asserted that the voting should be held peacefully. "...We are Hindus, we are Sanatanis. I offered prayers, offered a 'naman'.... I spoke to polling agents of my constituency...Polling should be held peacefully," he was quoted as saying by ANI.

The Election Commission has flagged 7,384 polling booths as "super-sensitive" and has deployed CAPF personnel's to ensure a free and fair election.

The Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) is fighting the election to repeat its government for the fourth consecutive times.

Voting on 152 out of the total 294 constituencies began on Thursday amid the tight security. Across 16 districts, over 1,400 candidates are in fray.