NewsIndia

The West Bengal Assembly elections recorded the highest voter turnout since Independence, raising stakes for both TMC and BJP. The elections took place in two phases on April 23 and April 29, 2026, with votes for the 293 Assembly seats set to be counted on May 4.

Key statistics:

• The first phase saw a voter turnout of 92.8%.
• The second phase recorded a turnout of 91.47%.
• Initially, the electorate was 7.66 crore but decreased to 6.82 crore after the SIR exercise.
• The Election Commission appointed 165 additional counting observers and 77 police observers for the vote counting process.

The TMC aims to retain power after five years in office. The BJP seeks a historic win in West Bengal. Both parties face competition from CPI(M) and Congress, which hope to regain influence after being largely sidelined in the last elections.

Repolling for the Falta Assembly seat is scheduled for May 21 due to electoral malpractices reported during the initial voting phases. This situation adds another layer of complexity to an already tense electoral landscape.

The outcome of these elections will significantly shape West Bengal’s political future. As the counting day approaches, tensions rise among competing political parties, each eager to secure their position in this pivotal state.