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KOLKATA — In a monumental display of democratic fervor, West Bengal has shattered previous records with a staggering 92.47% combined voter turnout following the conclusion of the second and final phase of the 2026 Assembly Elections.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) confirmed that the state witnessed its highest-ever participation since Independence, cementing Bengal’s reputation for intense political engagement. The high-stakes battle between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) saw millions of citizens braving heat and sporadic reports of tension to cast their ballots.
A Breakdown of the Numbers
The election was conducted in two massive phases, covering all 294 constituencies:
Phase 1 (April 23): Recorded a historic 93.19% participation.
Phase 2 (April 29): Saw nearly 92% turnout by the close of polling at 7:30 PM.
Total Combined Turnout: 92.47%.
The second phase, which covered 142 seats across South Bengal—including the political nerve center of Kolkata—was particularly crucial for the ruling AITC, as it moved into their traditional strongholds.
District-Wise Highlights (Phase 2)
Rural heartlands led the charge in participation, while urban centers also saw a significant surge compared to previous years:
Purba Bardhaman: Emerged as the leader with a massive 93.48% turnout.
South 24 Parganas: Followed closely at 91.73%.
Hooghly & North 24 Parganas: Both recorded over 91.50%.
Kolkata: While slightly lower than rural areas, the capital saw a healthy turnout, with Bhabanipur recording a record 85.5%.
High-Stakes Rematch in Bhabanipur
All eyes were on the Bhabanipur constituency, where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee faced off against BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari in a high-profile symbolic rematch. The day was marked by a brief, tense face-to-face encounter between the two leaders in the Chakraberia area.
While Adhikari hailed the record turnout as a sign of “people’s desire for change,” Chief Minister Banerjee expressed concerns over the safety of booths in certain pockets, though the ECI maintained that polling was largely peaceful across the 41,001 stations.
What Happens Next?
With the final vote cast, the fate of the state now lies within the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), which have been moved to secure strongrooms under three-tier security.
Counting Date: May 4, 2026
Majority Mark: 148 seats
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar lauded the voters, describing the event as “Chunav ka Parv, Paschim Bengal ka Garv” (The Festival of Elections, the Pride of West Bengal). As the dust settles, both major camps have claimed victory, but the definitive verdict on who will govern Bengal for the next five years will only be revealed this Sunday.
