West Bengal Assembly elections were held in two phases on April 23 and April 29, 2026. The counting of votes for 293 Assembly seats will take place on May 4, 2026. The Election Commission of India appointed 165 additional counting observers and 77 police observers for the counting process.

The voter turnout was notable. It reached 92.8% in the first phase and 91.47% in the second phase, marking the highest turnout since Independence. Both camps claim this record turnout as a mandate in their favour.

However, around 91 lakh voters—approximately 12% of the electorate—were removed from the rolls ahead of the election due to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). This has cast a shadow over the electoral process.

Mamata Banerjee seeks to maintain her position as Chief Minister, while her main opponent, Suvendu Adhikari from BJP, aims to unseat her. The magic number to secure a majority in the 294-member Assembly is 148.

The CPI(M) and Congress also aim to reclaim a foothold in the state’s electoral map after five years of decline following their wipeout in the 2021 polls.

Repolling for the Falta Assembly seat is scheduled for May 21, 2026, due to allegations of electoral malpractices. Whatever verdict emerges today, its implications are expected to travel well beyond the corridors of Nabanna and into the national political landscape.

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