Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has lauded West Bengal for achieving its highest voter turnout since independence. The state recorded a historic 93.18 per cent participation in the first phase, followed by 91 pc in the second. Praising the electorate, the CEC remarked, “Highest ever percentage of polling in West Bengal in both Phase I & II since Independence— Chunav ka Parv, Paschim Bengal ka Garv.”
These impressive figures underscore a powerful wave of democratic engagement as the contest for the 294-member Legislative Assembly concluded, with the final results set to be revealed on May 4. The 2026 elections have witnessed the Trinamool Congress government defending its position as the ruling party in West Bengal for four consecutive terms, with the Bharatiya Janata Party working towards a historic win in the state.
In the second round, some prominent personalities were among the voters, such as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, and TMC General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee. Other notable voters included BJP candidate Ratna Debnath — mother of the RG Kar Medical College victim — TMC MP Mitali Bag, and state BJP President Samik Bhattacharya.
However, the massive turnout was accompanied by familiar reports of friction. Rival parties traded accusations of intimidation and abuse throughout the day. In a case in point, Suvendu Adhikari, the BJP candidate contesting both Bhabanipur and Nandigram constituencies, reported being cornered by some TMC cadres while visiting a polling booth.
Also read: Bengal breaks 2021 record, hits 89.99 pc voter turnout till 5PM
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