Agencies | Kolkata:
Voting for the second and final phase of the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 commenced on Wednesday across 142 constituencies, covering the politically crucial southern belt of the state. Polling began at 7:00 am and will continue till 6:30 pm, with voters in queue at closing time permitted to cast their ballots.
This phase spans key districts including Kolkata, Howrah, North and South 24 Parganas, Nadia, Hooghly, and Purba Bardhaman—regions that have traditionally formed the stronghold of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). In the 2021 elections, the TMC secured a dominant 123 out of these 142 seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 18 and the Indian Secular Front (ISF) one.
The contest is being closely watched to assess whether the BJP can make significant inroads into TMC’s southern bastion or if Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee retains her grip and paves the way for a fourth consecutive term.
Voter enthusiasm was visible early in the day, with long queues reported at several polling stations. High turnout is expected, similar to the first phase, as campaigning on issues such as corruption, citizenship, and welfare schemes gives way to decisive voting.
However, the polling process witnessed minor disruptions. An EVM glitch in Bally triggered a brief clash, leading to the detention of two individuals by security personnel. In Kolkata, BJP candidate Priyanka Tibrewal was involved in a verbal altercation at a polling booth after her polling agent was reportedly asked to leave due to space constraints.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made a rare appearance on polling day, visiting multiple booths in Kolkata, while several prominent leaders, including Abhishek Banerjee and Mahua Moitra, cast their votes early.
Leaders across party lines urged voters to participate in large numbers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh appealed particularly to youth and women to exercise their franchise.
Security has been significantly tightened for the phase, with over 2,300 companies of central forces deployed and extensive surveillance measures, including drones and webcasting, in place to ensure free and fair polling.
The results of the two-phase elections will be declared on May 4, determining whether West Bengal continues under TMC rule or witnesses a political shift.
