West Bengal Election 2026 Highlights: Over 90% voter turnout recorded in Phase 1 — ‘highest-ever since Independence’

On West Bengal records historic 91.91% voter turnout in phase 1 Assembly elections, Congress candidate from Berhampore assembly constituency Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury says, "In my area, I saw long queues at every polling booth since morning, especially of women...The high voter turnout could be due to two main reasons: anti-incumbency and the fear among the common people that not participating in the elections could lead to the loss of their civil rights. These concerns combined to motivate a large section of people to vote in the elections."

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday asserted that polling held so far in the first phase of the assembly polls indicates the TMC is already in a position to win.

Banerjee, also the Trinamool Congress supremo, said at a rally in Bow Bazar area of Kolkata that she will conquer Delhi taking along all opposition parties, after winning the election.

A voter turnout of 89.93 per cent was recorded till 5 pm, as polling was underway in 152 of the 294 assembly seats in phase 1. The next round will take place on April 29, while counting will be held on May 4.

State Chief Electoral Officer, Manoj Agarwal, says, "Everybody was happy that participation has been above 90%. This was the first time in Bengal that the voting percentage would definitely be above 90%... It's not that a particular gender has voted more than 100%, so others will not be lagging also..."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweets, "A visit to Belur Math is always deeply special. The timeless message of service, harmony and inner strength leaves a lasting impact on every mind."

On Polling percentage in Bengal election, Congress MP Tariq Anwar says, "... The Prime Minister and Home Minister always make tall claims and play the numbers game. But the reality is that in West Bengal today, people feel that Narendra Modi and his government are putting their full strength into trying to capture the state. This has turned into a battle of West Bengal versus the Centre, and therefore we believe that the advantage will go to Mamata Banerjee."

Congress candidate from Berhampore assembly constituency Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury alleged that party agent was attacked by the TMC workers

Gyanesh Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner of India, says, "Highest ever percentage of polling in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu since Independence - ECI salutes each voter of West Bengal and Tamil Nadu."

N. Mishra, Special Poll Observer, says, "The Election Commission of India's principle was very clear from the beginning: the West Bengal elections, known for electoral violence, must be made peaceful, free, fair, intimidation-free... The cardinal principle was the coordination and deployment of the state police, and the central paramilitary forces... Our deployment of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) at the polling booths had a scale, and we deployed the force accordingly... There were more sensitive booths in Cooch Behar, Malda, Murshidabad, Birbhum, and other districts, and we paid more attention to them. We will take strict action against those who try to disrupt the peace of the voting process, and we will ensure that no one disrupts or obstructs the peaceful voting process..."

Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly and BJP candidate from Nandigram and Bhawanipur assembly constituencies, Suvendu Adhikari says, "...The Election Commission and paramilitary forces were active, the public came out and voted in large numbers..."

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

West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC candidate from Bhabanipur Assembly constituency, Mamata Banerjee, holds a padyatra.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Belur Math, the Headquarters of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission.

A voter turnout of 89.93 per cent was recorded in West Bengal first phase of elections on Thursday, April 23.

Laxman Pandey, polling agent of Ratan Das, BJP candidate from the Chanchal Assembly, alleges that he was attacked by TMC workers in Malda.

He says, "Under the Chanchal Assembly constituency, I was heading towards a polling booth when I was attacked by TMC workers, and they were not letting 150-200 voters cast their votes...My car was also vandalised..."

“Voter turnout so far in first phase of Bengal polls indicates TMC already in position to win”: Mamata Banerjee at Kolkata rally.

West Bengal Elections 2026 Phase 1: Visuals from outside a polling station in Akrurmoni Coronation Institution Higher Secondary School under the English Bazar Constituency No 51 in Malda district as voters arrive here in large numbers to cast their votes for the ongoing Assembly elections

Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, "Today, the first phase of voting is nearly complete... On the 5th, Didi will face a complete rout. A BJP government with an absolute majority is set to be formed in Bengal... In the Bengal elections, on the 29th, you must press the button of the lotus symbol... All of you must press the button with the lotus symbol to liberate Bengal from infiltrators."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "... 'PM CM eksathe, unnoyon hobe dine raate'. (If the PM and CM are together, development will take place day and night)."