Last Updated: April 23, 2026 | 10:00 PM IST

Status: Polling Underway (Phase 1: 152 Seats)

The first phase of the high-stakes West Bengal Assembly Election 2026 is currently underway. Covering 152 constituencies, this phase is crucial for all major players. We are bringing you the latest hourly turnout reports and ground updates as they come in from the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Hourly State-Wide Turnout

District-Wise Performance (Till 10:00 PM)

As per the latest ECI data, Paschim Medinipur is currently leading the state in participation.

Live Highlights & Ground Reports

• 06:15 PM: Polling Concludes with Massive Numbers: Official polling hours have ended across 152 constituencies. However, thousands remain in queues in districts like Murshidabad and Nadia, where voting is expected to continue late into the evening. The final state-wide turnout is projected to cross 91%.
• 05:30 PM: Dakshin Dinajpur Smashes Records: Dakshin Dinajpur has emerged as the highest-voting district so far, recording a staggering 93.12% turnout by 5:00 PM.
• 05:00 PM: 5 PM Turnout Update: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has confirmed a state-wide turnout of 89.93% by 5:00 PM. This represents one of the highest opening-phase participations in recent history.
• 05:00 PM: Last Hour of Polling Begins: As the official 6:00 PM closing time approaches, massive queues are still being reported across Murshidabad, Nadia, and Cooch Behar. Anyone currently in line by 6:00 PM will legally be allowed to cast their vote.
• 04:55 PM: Record Turnout Expected: State-wide voter turnout has officially hit 78.77% as of 3:00 PM. With long queues still visible at many polling stations, the final turnout is expected to exceed 82%.
• 04:50 PM: Violence Escalates in Birbhum: Reports of fresh clashes arrived from Nanoor, where crude bombs were allegedly hurled near a polling booth. Central forces intervened to disperse the crowd; no casualties have been confirmed yet.
• 04:45 PM: Siliguri “Proxy” Allegation: A major controversy erupted in Siliguri after a voter claimed “someone else had already voted” in their name. The ECI has directed the local presiding officer to verify the 17A register and allow the citizen to cast a “Tendered Vote” if the claim is found valid.
• 04:30 PM: Complaint Count Crosses 1,500: The ECI’s cVIGIL app and control rooms have received over 1,560 complaints by late afternoon, mostly related to EVM malfunctions, voter intimidation, and unauthorized persons entering polling stations.
• 04:30 PM: Dakshin Dinajpur Leads: Currently, Dakshin Dinajpur is the frontrunner in democratic participation with a turnout of 81.49%, followed closely by Paschim Medinipur (81.07%) and Jhargram (81.04%).
• 04:20 PM: Labhpur Agent Assaulted: In Birbhum’s Labhpur, a BJP polling agent for candidate Debashis Ojha reportedly sustained head injuries after an alleged assault. The ECI has sought an immediate medical and security report from the District Magistrate.
• 04:20 PM: Clashes in Asansol: Tension escalated in the Asansol Dakshin constituency where BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul’s car was pelted with stones. The rear windowpanes were shattered. Paul has alleged that the attack was an attempt by the ruling party to influence the closing hours of the vote.
• 04:15 PM: TMC & BJP Trade Barbs: While the TMC has accused the BSF and Central Forces of “assisting BJP workers” in border areas of Malda and Uttar Dinajpur, the BJP has submitted a memorandum to the CEO regarding “large-scale booth capturing” in parts of Murshidabad.
• 04:15 PM: Dakshin Dinajpur Takes the Lead: Breaking away from the mid-day trends, Dakshin Dinajpur has recorded the highest turnout in the state so far, reaching a staggering 81.49% by 3:00 PM.
• 03:55 PM: Murarai Scuffles: Clashes between Congress and TMC workers in Murarai (Birbhum) have left at least two people injured. Central forces have been moved from nearby sectors to stabilize the area.
• 03:55 PM: BJP Candidate Assaulted: Reports from Kumarganj indicate that BJP candidate Suvendu Sarkar was allegedly manhandled and beaten by a group of individuals while he was visiting a polling booth. He reportedly had to run through open fields with his security personnel to escape the area.
• 03:50 PM: Polling Crosses 75% Mark: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has confirmed that state-wide turnout for Phase 1 has officially crossed 78.77% as of 3:00 PM, signaling a potential final turnout of over 85% by the close of polls.
• 03:45 PM: Bumper Turnout Noted by PM: Speaking at a rally in Mathurapur, Prime Minister Narendra Modi remarked that the “bumper” voter turnout seen today in Phase 1 indicates that “bhoy” (fear) is being defeated by “bharosa” (trust) among the electorate.
• 03:30 PM: Top Performing Districts: Dakshin Dinajpur is currently leading the state with a record 81.49% turnout. It is followed by Paschim Medinipur at 81.07% and Jhargram at 81.04%.
• 03:30 PM: Polling Momentum Sustained: Despite the afternoon heat, turnout continues to climb steadily across the 152 constituencies. Early trends suggest the final percentage could rival the high participation seen in 2021.
• 03:20 PM: Security Tightened in Murshidabad: Following the earlier blast in Nowda, additional central forces have been deployed to sensitive booths in Murshidabad and Domkal to ensure a peaceful final two hours of voting.
• 03:15 PM: PM Modi Reacts to High Turnout Speaking at a rally in Mathurapur, Prime Minister Narendra Modi commented on the day’s polling, stating that the “bumper voter turnout” in this first phase indicates that ‘bhoy’ (fear) is being defeated by ‘bharosa’ (trust) in the state.
• 03:10 PM: BJP Candidate Attacked in Dakshin Dinajpur Subhendu Sarkar, the BJP candidate from Kumarganj, was allegedly heckled and beaten by TMC workers while visiting Booth No. 24. Sarkar claimed his polling agents were being forcibly removed from multiple stations. Video footage showed security personnel intervening to rescue the candidate from a chasing crowd.
• 03:05 PM: Turnout Nears 70% Mark The latest approximate figures from the ECI suggest that state-wide turnout is nearing 69.5%. Long queues are still being reported in rural pockets of Bankura and Purba Medinipur, where voters are braving the afternoon heat to reach the booths before the 6:00 PM deadline.
• 03:00 PM: Afternoon Surge in Turnout State-wide participation has neared the 60% mark as the afternoon heat begins to subside. Paschim Medinipur continues to lead the pack with over 65% polling recorded, followed closely by Jhargram and Bankura.
• 02:30 PM: ECI Action in Murshidabad Following reports of a crude bomb blast and clashes in Nowda and Domkal, the Election Commission has deployed additional Quick Response Teams (QRTs). The ECI has formally sought a report on allegations that voters in certain pockets were being intimidated and prevented from reaching booths.
• 02:15 PM: State-wide voter turnout has officially crossed the 62.18% mark by 1:00 PM. Paschim Medinipur remains the most active district with nearly 66% polling recorded so far.
• 01:45 PM: Agnimitra Paul’s Car Attacked: Reports have emerged that BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul’s vehicle was allegedly attacked in West Midnapore. The candidate has claimed that the attack was orchestrated to intimidate voters.
• 01:10 PM: Blast in Murshidabad: Tensions spiked in Nowda, Murshidabad, following a blast that reportedly injured several individuals. Clashes between TMC and AUJP (Aam Janata Unnayan Party) workers have been reported in the area, leading the ECI to seek an urgent report.
• 12:30 PM: High-Stakes Allegations in Nandigram: State Minister Shashi Panja (TMC) has lodged a formal complaint with the CEO, alleging that certain police officers in Nandigram are acting in favor of the BJP. Simultaneously, Suvendu Adhikari (BJP) countered by alleging voter intimidation by “TMC-sheltered goons.”
• 12:10 PM: Darjeeling Update: Rajya Sabha MP Harsh V Shringla cast his vote in Darjeeling, stating that the high turnout in the hills reflects a desire for “development, security, and positive change.”
• 12:05 PM: Clashes reported in Murshidabad’s Domkal; ECI has sought a detailed report from district officials.
• 12:20 PM: A wild elephant named ‘Ramlal’ briefly interrupted polling at a booth in Jhargram’s Jangalmahal area before being guided away by forest officials.
• 11:00 AM: State-wide turnout crosses the 40% mark, showing a robust democratic engagement despite heatwave conditions in some districts.
• 07:00 AM: Voting begins smoothly across all 44,376 polling stations involved in Phase 1.

Next Update: The 3:00 PM consolidated figures are expected shortly. Refresh this page for the latest data!

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