West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Phase 1: 62% Voting Till Afternoon, EVM Glitches & Clashes Reported
The first phase of the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026, Phase 1, is underway on April 23, with brisk voting, technical glitches, and sporadic political tensions shaping the day across the state.
Polling is being conducted in 152 constituencies across 16 districts, covering both north Bengal and parts of southern districts.
Around 3.6 crore voters are eligible to cast their votes in this crucial phase of the elections, which will determine the political direction of the state.
By early afternoon, voter turnout had crossed 62%, with districts like Paschim Medinipur leading the charts.
Earlier in the day, polling saw a steady rise, from 18.76% in the first two hours to over 41% by 11 AM, indicating strong participation despite the summer heat.
Election officials expect turnout to increase further by the end of polling hours.
Technical issues with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) emerged as a key concern. At a polling booth in Murshidabad, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury directly contacted election officials, urging immediate intervention.
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He highlighted that the EVM had been replaced multiple times but continued to malfunction, forcing voters to leave polling stations.
Similar complaints were reported from other constituencies, with opposition parties demanding quick fixes and, in some cases, extended voting hours.
Political tensions were visible in several areas.
In Nandigram, the All India Trinamool Congress accused police of favouring the Bharatiya Janata Party, while BJP leaders countered with allegations of voter intimidation by ruling party supporters.
In Murshidabad, clashes broke out between workers of the Trinamool Congress and a regional outfit led by Humayun Kabir, further escalating tensions on polling day.
There were also allegations of voter intimidation in parts of the district, prompting the Election Commission to seek reports from officials.
In an unusual moment, an elephant named “Ramlal” wandered near a polling station in Jhargram, briefly causing panic among voters. However, the animal moved away without causing harm, and polling resumed normally.
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The elections mark a high-stakes contest between Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress and the BJP, amid intense political rivalry and controversies over voter lists.
The outcome of this election is crucial, especially as the ruling party seeks to defend its long-standing dominance, while the opposition aims to make significant inroads.
The second phase of polling is scheduled for April 29, while votes will be counted on May 4, 2026.
(With inputs from NDTV)
