- By Nidhi Giri
- Wed, 29 Apr 2026 10:11 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
According to the latest data from the Election Commission of India (ECI), West Bengal saw a massive voter turnout of 92.25 per cent till 9 pm by the close of the second phase of polling on Wednesday.
As per ECI, the first phase, which saw 152 seats being contested in North and Southwest Bengal, recorded a voter turnout of 91.78 per cent. Phase 2 polling took place on 142 seats in South Bengal, and the turnout was 92.52 per cent. When taken together, Bengal recorded a massive 92.12 per cent turnout, its highest since independence.
The turnout underscored the widespread and active participation of citizens in the current elections.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar hailed the voter participation, stating, "Highest ever percentage of polling in West Bengal in both Phase I & II since Independence - Chunav ka Parv, Paschim Bengal ka Garv".
The first phase of polling was held on April 23. The main fight in West Bengal is being seen between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP.
The second phase of the polling is widely seen as the 'litmus test' for the Trinamool Congress (TMC), as voting moved into the party's traditional fortresses in South Bengal and Kolkata.
The second phase covers 142 out of 294 seats in West Bengal. Over 2.22 crore voters, including 1,64,35,627 men and 1,57,37,418 women, were eligible to cast their votes in the second phase of polling.
Key contests in the second phase included Bhabanipur and Tollyganj.In the 2021 elections, the TMC dominated this specific belt, winning 123 of these 142 seats. For the BJP, this phase is about making inroads into the urban "bhadralok" vote and the Matua community. For the TMC, it is about holding the line to ensure a fourth consecutive term for Mamata Banerjee. The counting of votes will take place on May 4.
(With ANI Inputs)