Voting is underway today, April 29, 2026, for the second and final phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections, covering 142 constituencies across seven districts. The electorate of approximately 3.21 crore voters will decide the fate of 1,448 candidates, including key figures from major political parties. High-stakes contests are observed across districts including North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Nadia, Howrah, Kolkata, Hooghly, and Purba Bardhaman. Early reports indicate voter turnout at 18.39% by 9 AM.
The election day has been marked by scattered incidents of violence and reports of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) malfunctions, particularly in areas like Bally and Nadia, leading to temporary disruptions and clashes.
Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chairperson Mamata Banerjee, contesting from the Bhabanipur seat, was observed visiting polling booths in her constituency early in the morning. Her primary challenger in Bhabanipur is Suvendu Adhikari, a prominent leader from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Several state ministers, including Firhad Hakim (Kolkata Port), Aroop Biswas (Tollygunge), Shashi Panja (Shaympukur), and Bratya Basu (Dum Dum), are also among the prominent candidates facing the electorate in this phase.
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Incidents of EVM glitches sparking clashes and subsequent lathi-charges by central forces were reported from Bally. Allegations of violence and vandalism have emerged from various locations, including Chapra, Shantipur, Nimtala, and Bhangar. The TMC has pointed fingers at external elements, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stating that "people brought from outside are spreading terrorism in the state." The BJP, meanwhile, has also levelled charges of attacks.
Key Figures and Constituencies:
| Party | Key Candidates | Focus Constituency |
|---|---|---|
| Trinamool Congress (TMC) | Mamata Banerjee, Firhad Hakim, Aroop Biswas, Shashi Panja, Bratya Basu, Abhishek Banerjee | Bhabanipur |
| Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) | Suvendu Adhikari, Arjun Singh, Biman Ghosh, Swapan Dasgupta, Dilip Ghosh, Pawan Singh | Bhabanipur |
| Communist Party of India (Marxist) |
Campaigning and Electoral Context:
The campaigning for this final phase concluded on Monday, April 28, ushering in a mandatory 48-hour silence period. The first phase of the elections, held on April 23, saw a record turnout of 93.19%. The BJP is reportedly seeking to leverage its gains from North Bengal to make a broader impact across the southern districts. The election outcome in this phase is considered critical for a potential shift in power in the state. Approximately 41,001 polling stations have been established, with 2,400 companies of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) deployed for security. Provisions have been made for voters with disabilities and those above 100 years of age. The state has a total of 294 Assembly seats, with 148 required for a majority.
Read More: West Bengal Election Phase 2: Voting Today, May 4 Results
The backdrop to this election includes ongoing debates surrounding electoral roll revisions, with the TMC expressing concerns over the scale of name deletions in certain constituencies, linking it to past winning margins. Political discourse has also seen charged rhetoric, including a challenge from TMC MP Derek O'Brien to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to resign if the TMC wins on May 4.
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