The West Bengal Assembly elections have recorded the highest voter turnout since Independence. The votes for 293 Assembly seats will be counted on May 4, 2026. This development raises the stakes for both the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Voter turnout was impressive. The first phase saw a turnout of 92.8%, while the second phase reached 91.47%. These figures highlight the significant engagement of voters.
The elections took place in two phases on April 23 and April 29, 2026. The TMC is aiming to retain power after five years in control. Meanwhile, the BJP seeks a historic win in West Bengal.
As of midday, reports indicate that repolling for the Falta Assembly seat will occur on May 21 due to allegations of electoral malpractices. The Election Commission of India has stepped up measures by appointing 165 additional counting observers and 77 police observers to oversee the vote counting process.
Both the CPI(M) and Congress are hoping to regain a foothold in West Bengal’s electoral landscape after being largely sidelined in the last election cycle.
The total electorate has decreased from 7.66 crore to 6.82 crore due to a recent SIR exercise. This reduction may influence party strategies moving forward.
The outcome of these elections could redefine political alignments in West Bengal. With such high voter participation, political parties are under pressure to deliver on their promises.
