West Bengal Assembly Elections: A Crucial First Phase Begins Amidst Tight Security

The first phase of the West Bengal assembly elections has commenced, covering 152 constituencies amid tight security and significant political stakes. With over 3.60 crore eligible voters, including a notable number of women and third-gender voters, this phase is crucial for both the BJP and the ruling Trinamool Congress. Prime Minister Modi has urged citizens to participate actively in this democratic process. The outcome of this phase could set the tone for the remainder of the elections, especially in the politically significant north Bengal region. Stay tuned for updates on candidates and polling developments.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 23, 2026, 09:31 IST

Voting Kicks Off in West Bengal

Kolkata: The first phase of the West Bengal assembly elections commenced on Thursday, covering 152 constituencies. This phase is marked by extensive security measures and a competitive atmosphere that could significantly influence the overall election outcome.

Polling began at 7 AM, with voters forming lines outside polling stations in various districts, including Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri in the north, and Murshidabad, Nadia, Birbhum, and Hooghly in the south.

This initial round encompasses more than half of the state's 294 assembly seats and is viewed as a pivotal moment for the BJP, which seeks to gain an early advantage, while the ruling Trinamool Congress faces a critical challenge in its quest for a fourth consecutive term.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi encouraged citizens, especially young voters and women, to actively participate in this democratic process.

He stated on X, "Phase 1 of the West Bengal Assembly elections takes place today. I urge all citizens to participate in this festival of democracy with full strength. I especially appeal to my young friends and to the women of West Bengal to vote in large numbers."

The Election Commission reported that over 3.60 crore voters are eligible to participate in this phase, which includes approximately 1.75 crore women and 465 voters from the third gender.

A record deployment of 2,450 companies of central paramilitary forces, totaling nearly 2.5 lakh personnel, has been arranged across the state, with more than 8,000 polling stations classified as highly sensitive.

Special surveillance has been implemented in districts such as Malda, Murshidabad, Uttar Dinajpur, Cooch Behar, Birbhum, and Purba Bardhaman.

Additionally, over 2,193 quick response teams, surveillance units, and flying squads have been mobilized to prevent violence and ensure a smooth polling process.

The significance of this phase is heightened as it includes all 54 seats in north Bengal, a region that played a crucial role in the BJP's success during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and positioned it as a formidable opponent to the TMC in the 2021 assembly elections.

In the previous assembly elections, the BJP secured 59 seats while the TMC won 93 out of the 152 seats.

For the BJP, maintaining its influence in north Bengal is vital for its statewide ambitions, while the TMC, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, aims to thwart a BJP sweep in the region to build momentum for the subsequent rounds.

This phase is also under scrutiny due to the recent Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, which led to the removal of around 91 lakh names from the voter list.

This revision has sparked controversy, with the BJP claiming it eliminated infiltrators and fraudulent voters, while the TMC accuses the central government and the Election Commission of disenfranchising legitimate voters, particularly among minorities and migrant workers.

Several prominent candidates are contesting in this phase, including opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari (BJP, Nandigram), former Union minister Nisith Pramanik (BJP, Mathabhanga), state minister Udayan Guha (TMC, Dinhata), Goutam Deb (TMC, Siliguri), and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury (Congress, Baharampur).

The second phase of polling is scheduled for April 29, with vote counting set for May 4.