WB Phase 2 logs 78.7% turnout till 3 pm; BJP, TMC trade blame

West Bengal Election 2026 sees allegations of EVM tape and violence; EC orders repoll for booths where complaints are confirmed.

High-stakes voting amid sporadic clashes

Voting for 142 assembly constituencies in the second phase of the West Bengal Election 2026 remained largely peaceful but was punctuated by scattered violence, allegations of EVM tampering, and political face-offs on Wednesday. As of 3 pm, the state recorded a voter turnout of 78.68%, with numbers expected to climb as evening reports trickle in.

Polling began at 7 am across sensitive zones, including high-profile seats like Bhabanipur, where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is seeking a fourth consecutive term. Long queues were seen outside booths from North 24 Parganas to Hooghly, with many voters waiting since before dawn.

Tape on EVM button sparks row

The most technical flashpoint emerged from Falta in Diamond Harbour. The Bharatiya Janata Party alleged that tape had been placed over the party’s symbol button on electronic voting machines, effectively blocking voters from selecting the BJP candidate.

“The button for our symbol was deliberately covered,” a local BJP agent claimed. Responding swiftly, the Election Commission of India stated that re-polling would be conducted at any polling station where complaints of white or black tape on EVMs are found to be true. Officials confirmed that if a large number of booths in a single constituency report the same issue, a full repoll could be ordered.

Suvendu-Mamata face-off in Bhabanipur

Tensions ran high in Bhabanipur, the traditional turf of CM Mamata Banerjee. BJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari, who defeated her in Nandigram in 2021, was met with slogans of “chor-chor” and “Joy Bangla” during a booth visit.

Adhikari alleged that the protesters were “Bangladeshi-origin Muslims” whose names were not on the voter list, claiming the incident would shift votes in his favour. Local councillor Kajari Bandopadhyay dismissed his claims, saying, “He cannot win, and that is why he is creating a ruckus.” Shortly after, central forces resorted to a mild lathi-charge to disperse a crowd near booth numbers 217 and 218.

Attacks on candidates and live bombs

Ground reports from multiple districts painted a scattered picture of unrest. In South 24 Parganas, BJP candidate Bikash Sardar alleged that miscreants smashed his vehicle’s windows and tried to snatch a firearm from his security personnel. In Panihati, BJP candidate Ratna Debnath claimed she was attacked by “TMC goons” after helping an elderly woman.

More alarming was the recovery of six live bombs near Booth No. 35 in Biruri village, Ketugram. Police confirmed the explosives were found in a nylon bag and a bomb disposal squad was rushed to the site. Meanwhile, CRPF personnel had to detain two individuals in Howrah for creating a ruckus over alleged EVM tampering.

High turnout and what’s next

Over 3.21 crore voters were eligible to decide the fate of 1,448 candidates in this phase. The first phase on April 23 recorded a historic 93% turnout. Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal expressed confidence that final numbers for phase 2 might surpass that figure.

Results for all 294 assembly seats will be announced on May 4. For now, the EC is reviewing multiple complaints, and repolling orders are expected by late evening.