West Bengal Polls See Record 92.75% Turnout Across Phases

West Bengal voter turnout touches record high as state logs over 92% participation; other states in Phase 1 also report strong polling

West Bengal has recorded its highest-ever voter turnout in an Assembly election, with a combined 92.75% participation across two phases, according to data released by the Election Commission of India. The figure surpasses the previous record of 84.72% set in 2011, marking a significant rise in voter engagement.

Polling for the 294-member Assembly was conducted in two phases — 152 seats on April 23 and 142 seats on Wednesday. The second phase alone saw a turnout of 92.32%, while the first phase had already set the tone with an impressive 93%.

Record turnout trend

The sharp rise in participation has drawn attention across political and administrative circles. Officials said the turnout remained consistently high through the day, with many booths witnessing long queues from early morning till late evening.

Compared to previous elections, including the 2021 Assembly polls and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, voter participation in the same constituencies has increased notably, even as the overall number of registered voters saw a decline after roll revisions.

Scattered violence reported

Despite the high turnout, the second phase was not entirely incident-free. At least seven instances of unrest, clashes, or alleged irregularities were reported from different districts.

In parts of Howrah, central forces resorted to lathi-charge after voters protested delays caused by malfunctioning EVMs. Some individuals were detained during the unrest.

Elsewhere in South 24 Parganas, a scuffle broke out between voters and security personnel at a polling booth in Canning. Visuals from the scene showed pushing and jostling, including among women voters.

EVM complaints surface

The Bharatiya Janata Party raised concerns about alleged tampering with EVMs in Falta, claiming that its button was blocked with tape. A video circulated by the party appeared to show the issue.

The Election Commission responded cautiously, stating that any verified complaint would be addressed, including the possibility of re-polling. In another case in Panihati, an ink stain reportedly found on a party symbol was cleaned at the booth itself.

Political tensions visible

Tensions also flared in Bhabanipur, where BJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari faced protests from supporters of the All India Trinamool Congress. Slogans were raised as he visited a polling area close to the residence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Adhikari responded with counter-slogans, highlighting the charged political atmosphere that marked parts of the polling process.

Fatality during polling

In a separate incident in Udaynarayanpur, an elderly voter died after collapsing while at a polling booth. The Trinamool Congress alleged that the individual had been pushed by security personnel, though officials have not confirmed the claim. The man was declared dead at a nearby hospital.

Reasons behind surge

Several factors appear to have contributed to the unprecedented turnout. Election officials pointed to stricter monitoring and the deployment of around 2.4 lakh central forces, which may have reassured voters about safety.

Political analysts also cite strong voter mobilisation driven by issues such as unemployment, corruption allegations, and local-level dissatisfaction. Additionally, polarisation in certain regions and the return of migrant workers to cast their votes are believed to have played a role.

Other states’ turnout

High voter participation was not limited to West Bengal. Tamil Nadu recorded a historic 85.14% turnout across all 234 constituencies, its highest since 1967. In Assam, turnout stood at 85.91%, with several districts crossing the 80% mark.

Puducherry also reported a record 89.87% polling, while Kerala logged the lowest among the five, at just over 78%.

Counting on May 4

The results for all five states will be declared on May 4. With record turnout in key states like West Bengal, the outcome is expected to reflect a highly engaged electorate and could significantly shape the political landscape in the region.