West Bengal recorded a voter turnout of 18.39% up to 9 a.m. on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, as polling began for the second phase of the 2026 Assembly elections, covering 142 constituencies across the state. The phase involves roughly 3.21 crore voters (about 32.1 million) and is being watched closely as a key test in districts of South Bengal and Kolkata.
Early polling figures show Purba Bardhaman with the highest participation at 20.86%, followed by Hooghly at 20.16%. Nadia reported 18.50% turnout and North 24 Parganas recorded 17.81% up to the same time.
In Kolkata, voter participation stood at 17.28% in Kolkata North and 16.81% in Kolkata South by 9 a.m. Howrah registered 17.76% turnout during the same period.
The second phase is politically significant because it covers areas considered strongholds of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). The main electoral contest in the state remains between the TMC and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and parties are treating the day as an important indicator of support in their traditional and contested bastions.
Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, visited polling booths in the Bhabanipur constituency earlier in the day to review arrangements. TMC national general secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee voted at the Mitra Institute polling booth in Bhabanipur.
The phase covers 142 of the total 294 Assembly seats in West Bengal. The electorate for this phase comprises approximately 1,64,35,627 men, 1,57,37,418 women and 792 transgender voters.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/national/story/west-bengal-records-1839-per-cent-voter-turnout-by-9-am-in-second-phase-of-assembly-polls-1383068-2026-04-29?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2026-04-29 10:28:00
