Assembly Elections 2026 Polling LIVE: Phase 2 Voter Turnout at 91.66% - Overall Participation in WB at 92.47%

After conclusion of polling in West Bengal, the final voter turnout in Phase 2 stood at 91.66%. Phase 1 saw a turnout of 93.19%. Overall, the state saw an average participation of 92.47%.

“Highest ever percentage of polling in West Bengal in both Phase I & II since Independence,” CEC Gyanesh Kumar said. “Chunav ka Parv, Paschim Bengal ka Garv.”

According to a press release by the ECI, the previous highest turnout recorded in West Bengal was 84.72%. Overall, the state recorded slightly higher participation from women.

As voting concludes for the 2026 Assembly Elections, various pollsters have forecasted their predictions ahead of announcement of results on 4 May 2026.

Axis My India, SAS Group, People's Pulse, and Praja Poll Analytics have come out with their estimates on voter trends in Pududcherry.

All polls put the NRC alliance in the lead to form the government in the Union Territory. The alliance is expected to win around 19 seats. Second is the Congress-led alliance, whose seat share is estimated to fall in the 8-10 range. The TVK and other parties are expected to pull 1 seat each.

On average, most pollsters predict a landslide win for the BJP, with only one placing Congress's estimated seatshare above 40.

As voting concludes for the 2026 Assembly Elections, various pollsters have forecasted their predictions ahead of announcement of results on 4 May 2026.

Axis My India, Chanakya Strategies, JVC, People's Pulse, People's Insight, and PMARQ are some of the various opinion polls who have come out with their estimates on voter trends.

On average, most project a close contest between the LDF and the UDF. However, the UDF is leading across the chart. Overall, the UDF is expected to win around 75-80 seats, while the LDF is predicted to pull around 65-70.

The BJP trails at third place, with all but one pollsters predicting a single-digit seat share - around 1-3. Other parties are expected to win 1 seat.

As voting concludes for the 2026 Assembly Elections, various pollsters have forecasted their predictions ahead of announcement of results on 4 May 2026.

Axis My India, Chanakya Strategies, JVC, People's Pulse, and P-MARQ are some of the various exit polls who have come out with their estimates on voter trends.

All polls put the BJP-led alliance in the lead to form the government in Assam. The alliance is expected to win around 80-100 seats. Second is the Congress-led alliance, whose seat share is estimated to fall in the 20-35 range. Others are expected to win around 0-5 seats.

On average, most pollsters predict a landslide win for the BJP, with only one placing Congress's estimated seatshare above 40.

As voting concludes for the 2026 Assembly Elections, various pollsters have forecasted their predictions ahead of announcement of results on 4 May 2026.

Axis My India, Chanakya Strategies, JVC, People's Pulse, and P-MARQ are some of the various exit polls who have come out with their estimates on voter trends.

On average, most put the DMK-led alliance in the lead to form the government in Tamil Nadu. The alliance is expected to win around 120-140 seats. Second is the AIADMK-led alliance, whose seat share is estimated to fall in the 60-75 range. And trailing is the TVK, which is indicated to pull approximately 35-40 seats. Most polls estimate no or limited seats going to other parties.

Some pollsters predict a close contest between the DMK and AIADMK, with the AIADMK marginally ahead. One poll even places TVK in the lead to win the election.

As voting concludes for the 2026 Assembly Elections, various pollsters have forecasted their predictions ahead of announcement of results on 4 May 2026.

Chanakya Strategies, JVC, People's Pulse, and P-MARQ are some of the various exit polls who have come out with their estimates on voter trends.

On average, the predictions are split - putting both the TMC and BJP in the lead to form the government in West Bengal. However, more pollsters predict a win for the BJP than the TMC.

Overall, the TMC performs better in most winning estimates with around 170 seats, while most of the BJP's winning estimates predict around 150 seats. The lowest the TMC is expected to pull is 85 seats, while the BJP stands at 80.

The Congress is estimated to hold around 0-2 seats according to most pollsters, with the highest prediction going upto 5 seats. Others, including Left parties, have an estimated seatshare of 0-10.

Purba Bardhaman district saw the highest participation at 93.42%, while Kolkata South saw the lowest at 87.28%.

TMC has alleged that the CRPF killed an elderly voter in Udaynarayanpur. TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee alleged that the man was too frail to walk and needed assistance to enter the booth. When his son attempted to accompany him inside, an officer allegedly pushed both of them to the ground. The man was then reportedly rushed to Amta Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.

"Central Forces under Amit Shah have become BJP’s PRIVATE ARMY," he said in reference to the incident. "A gang of licensed thugs unleashed on the people of Bengal." He added that the perpetrators will be punished to the maximum extent under the law.

West Bengal CEO Manoj Kumar Agarwal announced that in the future, elections in the state will be conducted in a single phase.

"Just as the elections have been peaceful, there should be no violence after the elections," he added. "The Election Commission and the Ministry of Home Affairs have decided that battalions and companies of several paramilitary forces will remain here after the elections."

Polling stations across West Bengal closed for entry at 6pm. Those in line will be allowed to cast their votes, after which sealing and transportation of EVMs will take place.

BJP and TMC workers clashed in Arabinda Rally, North 24 Parganas. A video of the incident shows CRPF officers escorting BJP leader Arjun Singh, with some of his entourage chasing and attacking TMC workers infront of the personel. They can be seen abusing, threatening and beating people, while the officers gave them way and allowed them to wield laathis.

Purba Bardhaman district saw the highest participation at 92.46%, while Kolkata South saw the lowest at 86.11%.

Speaking about an attack on her by BJP workers earlier in the day, TMC MP Mitali Bag asked, "Why haven't the people who attacked me been arrested yet?"

"Those who were the first attackers haven't been arrested yet. They were BJP members. I have the footage. I was going live, risking my life," she said. "I'm asking the Election Commission. They've been arresting the TMC leaders and putting them in jail. So why are those people still out?"

CM Mamata Banerjee arrived at a polling station in Bhabanipur to cast her vote. She held up her inked finger in a victory sign to camera.

"I have never seen this type of democracy," she said, speaking to the media. "From yesterday night they started atrocities, and they arrested so many of our people. It is a contempt of court... CRPF cannot torture like this. There is no state police at any booth. They have captured it all. They should secure the border. Instead of doing that, they are securing one political party."

"Just now the CO has given the order that in the entire state, wherever more than 4 people will gather, the central forces can do whatever they want to disperse them," BJP LoP Suvendu Adhikari said.

"Bangladeshi Muslims, infiltrators, those people were creating a ruckus... but all Hindus have woken up," he added.

Meanwhile, TMC supporters argue that the state has been militarized in an attempt to intimidate voters, with many party workers detained.

TMC MP Mamata Bala Thakur alleged that CRPF personel attacked voters in Bagda constituency.

"This booth is ours, and the TMC has not lost here for the last 34 years," she said. "This booth is minority-dominated. After Union Minister Shantanu Thakur’s visit, CRPF personnel came here and assaulted voters... Around 7–8 people were mercilessly beaten... All this happened after Thakur's visit. Where is the Election Commission now?"

Shantanu Thakur responded to the allegation later, saying, "Mamata Thakur herself was rigging votes at the booth. This is why the central forces cleared the area and removed everyone."

Purba Bardhaman district saw the highest participation at 83.11%, while Kolkata South saw the lowest at 75.38%.

Reviewing Phase 2 polling in West Bengal, CEO Manoj Kumar Agarwal said, "In the first phase, West Bengal showed the country that a 93 per cent voter turnout is possible, and that elections can be free and fair. In this phase as well, we aim to match or even exceed that benchmark."

Speaking on security and poll preparedness, he added, "There is proper deployment of CAPF, and all arrangements are in place. Voting is taking place completely peacefully, and no complaints are being reported from anywhere."

He also urged people to go out and vote.

Phase 2 polling in West Bengal saw an approximate voter turnout of 61.11% till 1 pm.

Purba Bardhaman district saw the highest participation at 66.8%, while Kolkata South saw the lowest at 57.73%.

Clashes erupted between TMC and IFS workers in Pranganj, Bhangar, as IFS chief Naushad Siddique alleged intimidation by the TMC. "TMC workers were trying to influence voters just 100 metres from the polling booth," he said. "When I was getting into my car, TMC workers abused me... They did not attack me."

Siddique said that to diffuse the situation, he had call security personel who dispersed the crowd with a laathi charge. Further clashes were reported in nearby areas in North 24 Parganas.

"Votes are being looted in Canning Purba," an ISF candidate said. "Our agents in booths are being driven out of several booths after snatching their cards and documents." He further alleged that TMC workers were issuing death threats to polling agents.

Several workers from both TMC and ISF were also arrested in Chapra after tensions flared between the two groups.

Chaos unfolded in Bhabanipur, which is seeing the biggest battle in the state with CM Mamata Banerjee facing off against LoP Suvendu Adhikari.

When Adhikari arrived to inspect a booth in Kalighat, TMC workers surrounded him and raised slogans of "chor chor" and "Jai Bengal". BJP workers responded with chants of "Jai Shri Ram".

As the situation became tense, CRPF personel arrived to disperse the crowd with a laathi charge. "Everything is under control 100%," a senior CRPF official said, after arriving at the scene. "There was minor chaos, but now everything has been cleared."

BJP co-incharge of West Bengal Amit Malviya accused the TMC of electoral malpractice in Falta, Diamond Harbour. In a post on X, he alleged that the buttons to vote for the BJP have been blocked with tape on EVMs across booths in the constituency.

"This is the so-called 'Diamond Harbour Model,'" he said. "The same template that helped Mamata Banerjee’s nephew Abhishek Banerjee secure his Lok Sabha seat."

He demanded a repoll across booths where this has occured.

"If reports of taping of any button come in, that should be verified and noted. If true, those booths will go for a repoll," Bengal CEO Manoj Kumar Agarwal said, responding to the development.

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari also reacted to the issue, saying that he has spoken about with Home Minister Amit Shah. "If it works in this manner, then what is required will be done," he said.

Mother of the RG Kar rape and murder victim, Ratna Debnath, who is the BJP candidate from Panihati cast her vote in Sodepur, North 24 Parganas. Speaking to the media, she said that women's safety is her top priority and she hopes the people will end the TMC's 'misrule'.

She further alleged that TMC workers abused and attempted to attack her. "They said I was doing business in my daughter's name," she explained. "They misbehaved with me and said that they would see me on 4th May."

BJP leader and actor Mithun Chakraborty cast his vote from Belgachia. “I do not want any facility. I voted like a common person,” he said. “I hope, watching the trend, voting will be higher than 90%. And if that is the case, you can predict what will happen.”

As of 11 am, the voter turnout for Phase 2 of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election is 39.97%.

According to ANI, BJP polling agent Mosharraf Mir was attacked in Nadia with iron rods and guns. The attack took place early on polling day at around 5:30 am. Mir, from booth number 52 of Hatra Panchayat in the Chapra constituency, was rescued by Chapra police.

He was taken to a hospital, where he reportedly received six stitches on his head. Mir told ANI, “Some TMC goons were hiding there. They have several cases against them. Aniallamulla is a criminal. He had a gun, and two other men also had guns. They were brandishing them. Then, about 15–20 more people came towards us.”

He further stated that the group of miscreants had iron rods and canes with them and repeatedly attacked him and others with him.

As polling continues for the second phase, TMC’s Mamata Banerjee and BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari were outside a polling booth in Bhabanipur. Adhikari raised questions about why the West Bengal Chief Minister was moving around with a group of people. He said, “Section 163 (of the BNSS) is in effect here. Mamata Banerjee is walking around with several people. Why is she roaming here?”

While interacting with people from Bhabanipur and Nandigram, Adhikari added, “She has lost.”

The second phase of the West Bengal Assembly election recorded a voter turnout of 18.39% as of 9 am on April 29, 2026.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee claimed that the BJP is engaging in “terrorism” in West Bengal. She told the media that all TMC posters have been removed by the BJP.

She said, “Is this how polls take place? Votes will be cast by voters, not by the police or security forces. Some new people have recently been brought in, and they are doing whatever they want.  They are doing terrorism.”

She accused the BJP of deliberately rigging the election and stated, “Our workers and supporters are ready to die, but they will not leave the place.”

On polling day, Mamata Banerjee visited multiple polling stations in the Bhabanipur Assembly seat, as well as the Chetla area in South Kolkata. The incumbent Chief Minister will be contesting from the Bhabanipur constituency against BJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari.

Hours into Phase 2 of the West Bengal Assembly election, a clash erupted in Howrah’s Bali constituency following reports of an EVM malfunction.

The incident occurred at a polling booth located in Don Bosco Liluah Sahanlal School, where a technical glitch temporarily halted the voting process. Central security forces arrested two individuals involved in the chaos to bring the situation under control.

The voter turnout in Phase 1 of the West Bengal Assembly election was recorded at 91.78%. TMC MP Mahua Moitra stated after voting in Nadia that the 2026 election is witnessing “revenge voting,” reflected in the high turnout. She added that “27 lakh people have been denied their franchise despite being valid voters.”

Taking a dig at the opposition, Moitra said, “About 10 to 12 lakh people live here. There is no railway connectivity, and there is a border. We have no way. So, if the BJP had any sense, they should have built the railway line. Instead, every election, they offer a lollipop and say, ‘Come vote for us, we will bring you the railway line.’”

Adding that the incumbent Railway Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, is a BJP leader, she said, “They should have built the railway line and then sought votes on that. We had no problem.”

She also expressed confidence in forming the government for the fourth time. “We are Bengalis. Nobody is coming here,” said Mahua Moitra.

An hour into the final phase of polling, Union Home Minister Amit Shah urged the people of West Bengal to vote in large numbers. He wrote on X, “To free West Bengal from the misrule of fear, syndicates, and corruption in this second and final phase.”

He appealed to voters across Bengal, especially mothers, sisters, and the youth of the state, to exercise their franchise. He added, “Your one vote will not only restore Bengal’s development, but also strengthen the firm resolve to take strict action against infiltrators and realise the dreams of Bengal’s youth.”

TMC MP Mahua Moitra has cast her vote at a polling booth at Karimpur Girls’ High School in Nadia. As incumbent Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee seeks to retain power for a fourth term in the state, voting in the final phase is crucial.

Phase 1 was held on April 23, 2026, with a record voter turnout of 91.78%. Phase 2 of the West Bengal Assembly election is expected to see a close contest between the TMC and the BJP, particularly in the TMC’s strongest belt. The ruling party secured 124 out of 142 seats in the 2021 Assembly election.

BJP candidate Arjun Singh from the Noapara constituency cast his vote at a polling booth in Kolkata. The Noapara Assembly constituency is located in North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, and is currently represented by TMC candidate Manju Basu. In the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election, Singh is contesting against TMC candidate Trinankur Bhattacharjee.

“I have cast my vote. I have voted for change. I have voted for the formation of a BJP government here,” said Arjun Singh.

Sekharranjan Debnath, father of the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder victim, told ANI that they will get justice for their daughter. The victim’s mother, Ratna Debnath, will be contesting from the Panihati seat as a BJP candidate.

“It is very sad that we have to resort to this method to get justice for our girl. But we will win and get justice for our daughter. We are with the public,” said Sekharranjan Debnath.

As the second phase of the West Bengal elections commenced on April 29, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to his official X account to urge voters to turn out in large numbers. He wrote, “I urge all those who are voting today to cast their votes in record numbers to make our democracy more vibrant and participatory.” He also appealed to the women and youth of West Bengal to exercise their voting rights.