The West Bengal Assembly elections have recorded the highest voter turnout since Independence, with figures reaching 92.8% in the first phase and 91.47% in the second phase. This surge raises the stakes for both the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as they prepare for a contentious outcome.
Key statistics:
- The first phase saw a voter turnout of 92.8%.
- The second phase recorded a turnout of 91.47%.
- The total electorate decreased from 7.66 crore to 6.82 crore due to the SIR exercise.
- The Election Commission appointed 165 additional counting observers and 77 police observers for the vote counting process.
The elections took place in two phases on April 23 and April 29, 2026, with votes for all 293 Assembly seats set to be counted on May 4, 2026. Repolling for the Falta Assembly seat is scheduled for May 21, due to reported electoral malpractices.
The TMC, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, aims to retain its power after five years in office, while the BJP seeks a historic win in West Bengal. Meanwhile, both the CPI(M) and Congress hope to reclaim their presence in the state’s political landscape after being nearly wiped out in the previous elections.
As these results unfold, officials have not disclosed how these high turnouts will influence the final outcomes. The political dynamics are shifting rapidly as parties gear up for potential changes in leadership and strategy based on voter sentiment.
