West Bengal Phase 2 polling: 89.99% turnout by 5 pm, edges past Phase 1
Synopsis
West Bengal's Phase 2 turnout of 89.99% by 5 pm has edged past Phase 1, but the bigger story may be unfolding in Falta — where BJP's EVM button was allegedly covered with white tape and re-polling is under consideration. With Mamata Banerjee and Suvendu Adhikari locked in battle at Bhabanipur, and 700 CAPF companies still deployed, the election is playing out under intense scrutiny.
Key Takeaways
West Bengal Phase 2 polling for 142 constituencies concluded at 6 pm on 29 April 2026 ; turnout till 5 pm was 89.99% , marginally higher than Phase 1's 89.93% .
East Burdwan led district-wise turnout at 92.46% ; Kolkata (Dakshin) was lowest among districts at 86.11% .
Harwa constituency (North 24 Parganas) posted the highest booth-level turnout at 94.5% ; Rajarhat-Gopalpur the lowest at 82.18% .
Bhabanipur , where Mamata Banerjee faces Suvendu Adhikari , recorded 85.51% turnout till 5 pm.
Re-polling is under consideration for two booths in Falta constituency after BJP's EVM button was allegedly covered with white tape.
700 CAPF companies to remain deployed in West Bengal until further orders from the Election Commission of India .
The second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections concluded at 6 pm on Wednesday, 29 April 2026, covering 142 constituencies across six districts and the state capital Kolkata, with voter turnout till 5 pm recorded at 89.99% — marginally surpassing the 89.93% logged at the same hour during Phase 1 on 23 April across 152 constituencies. The office of the Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal, noted that queues of voters were still present at several booths at 6 pm, and the final turnout figure is expected to be announced later Wednesday night or Thursday morning.
District-Wise Voter Turnout
East Burdwan district led all districts with a turnout of 92.46% till 5 pm, followed by Hooghly at 90.38% and Nadia at 90.28%. North 24 Parganas recorded 89.74%, South 24 Parganas at 89.57%, and Howrah at 89.44%. Among the two Kolkata electoral districts, Kolkata (Uttar) posted 87.77% and Kolkata (Dakshin) posted 86.11%.
According to Election Commission of India (ECI) data, the highest turnout in Phase 2 was recorded in Harwa Assembly constituency in North 24 Parganas at 94.5%. The lowest was in Rajarhat-Gopalpur Assembly constituency, also in North 24 Parganas, at 82.18%.
Bhabanipur: The High-Stakes Constituency
Bhabanipur Assembly constituency in South Kolkata — where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is contesting against Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari — recorded a voter turnout of 85.51% till 5 pm. The constituency has drawn national attention as one of the most closely watched contests of this election cycle.
EVM Controversy in Falta: Re-Polling Under Consideration
Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal disclosed that the Election Commission of India is evaluating the possibility of re-polling in two polling booths under Falta Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas district, where the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) button beside the name and symbol of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate was reportedly covered with white tape. The ECI has sought reports from the general and police observers of the constituency before taking a decision.
Point of View
Especially in a state where every phase of polling has historically been contested. Meanwhile, the Bhabanipur duel between Mamata Banerjee and Suvendu Adhikari remains the political bellwether of this cycle — its outcome will shape the state's power narrative far beyond seat arithmetic.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the voter turnout in West Bengal Phase 2 by 5 pm on 29 April 2026?
The voter turnout in West Bengal's Phase 2 elections till 5 pm on 29 April 2026 was recorded at 89.99%, marginally higher than the 89.93% recorded during Phase 1 at the same time on 23 April. The final figure is expected to be announced later Wednesday night or Thursday morning.
Which district had the highest voter turnout in West Bengal Phase 2?
East Burdwan district recorded the highest voter turnout among all districts in Phase 2 at 92.46% till 5 pm. At the constituency level, Harwa in North 24 Parganas posted the highest turnout at 94.5%.
What happened at Falta constituency during Phase 2 polling?
In two polling booths under Falta Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas, the EVM button beside the BJP candidate's name and symbol was allegedly covered with white tape. The Election Commission of India has sought reports from observers and is evaluating the possibility of re-polling at those booths.
What was the voter turnout in Bhabanipur, where Mamata Banerjee is contesting?
Bhabanipur Assembly constituency in South Kolkata recorded a voter turnout of 85.51% till 5 pm on 29 April 2026. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is contesting from this seat against Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari.
How many CAPF companies are deployed in West Bengal after Phase 2 polling?
700 companies of Central Armed Police Forces will continue to remain deployed in West Bengal after Phase 2 polling, as per the Election Commission of India's deployment plan issued on 19 March 2026, until further orders.
