West Bengal Phase 2 polls: 3.2 crore voters, 1,448 candidates across 142 seats on April 29
Synopsis
Over 3.21 crore voters across 142 constituencies in Kolkata and six West Bengal districts vote on 29 April in the state's second election phase — the largest single-day exercise of the polls, with 1,448 candidates, 41,001 polling stations, and 2,407 central force companies deployed in what officials call unprecedented security cover.
Key Takeaways
142 Assembly constituencies across Kolkata and six districts vote on 29 April in West Bengal's second election phase.
Total registered electorate: 3,21,73,837 , including 1,64,35,627 male, 1,57,37,418 female, and 792 third gender voters.
1,448 candidates are contesting — 1,228 male and 220 female; no third gender candidate.
41,001 polling stations set up; webcasting active at all booths.
2,407 companies of central forces deployed alongside West Bengal and Kolkata Police for security.
Results to be declared on 4 May .
West Bengal's second phase of Assembly elections is set for 29 April, with over 3.21 crore registered electors deciding the fate of 1,448 candidates across 142 Assembly constituencies in Kolkata and six other districts. Polling parties have already been dispatched to their respective stations with EVMs, VVPATs, and other election materials, under what officials describe as unprecedented security cover.
Voter Profile and Key Numbers
According to data from the Election Commission of India (ECI), the total registered electorate across these 142 constituencies stands at 3,21,73,837 — nearly 64 per cent of the combined population of 5,00,13,786 in these areas. Of the total voters, 1,64,35,627 are male, 1,57,37,418 are female, and 792 are third gender voters. All registered electors have been issued Electors Photo Identity Cards (EPICs), as confirmed by the office of the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO).
Notably, 3,243 voters are aged 100 years or above, while 1,96,801 voters are aged 85 or above. The electorate also includes 146 Non-Resident Indian (NRI) voters and 39,961 service voters.
Candidate Breakdown and Constituency Details
Of the 1,448 candidates contesting across the 142 seats, 1,228 are male and 220 are female, with no third gender candidate in the fray. Among the constituencies, 107 fall in the general category, 34 are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC), and one is reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST).
Bhangar in South 24 Parganas district leads with the highest number of candidates at 15, while a constituency in Hooghly district has the fewest at five. In terms of geography, Jorasanko in Kolkata is the smallest constituency at just 3.48 square kilometres, while Kalyani in Nadia district is the largest at 135 square kilometres.
Districts and Voter Distribution
Besides Kolkata, the six districts going to the polls are Nadia, East Burdwan, Hooghly, South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas, and Howrah. In terms of voter numbers, Bhatpara in North 24 Parganas has the fewest electors at 1,17,195, while Chuchura in Hooghly has the most at 2,75,715. Of the 142 constituencies, only six have between one lakh and 1.5 lakh voters, 17 have between 1.5 lakh and two lakh, and the remaining 120 have over two lakh voters each.
Security and Polling Infrastructure
A total of 41,001 polling stations have been set up — 39,301 main and 1,700 auxiliary. The phase will be conducted under the deployment of 2,407 companies of central forces, including Central Armed Police Forces, the India Reserve Battalion, and personnel from armed police wings of other states, supplemented by West Bengal Police and Kolkata Police. Webcasting will be active at all polling stations to ensure transparency.
Results for the second phase are scheduled to be declared on 4 May, alongside results from other phases.
Point of View
3.21 crore voters, 41,001 booths — makes it the electoral centrepiece of the West Bengal polls. The deployment of 2,407 central force companies signals that the ECI is leaving little to chance in a state where poll violence has historically shaped outcomes and narratives. The gender gap in candidature is also stark: women make up just over 15 per cent of the candidate pool despite comprising nearly 49 per cent of the electorate. That structural imbalance rarely gets the scrutiny it deserves in the horse-race coverage that dominates Bengal election reporting.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many voters are registered for West Bengal Phase 2 elections on 29 April?
A total of 3,21,73,837 voters are registered across the 142 Assembly constituencies going to polls on 29 April, according to the Election Commission of India. This represents nearly 64 per cent of the total population in those constituencies.
How many candidates are contesting in West Bengal's Phase 2 elections?
A total of 1,448 candidates are contesting across 142 seats in Phase 2. Of these, 1,228 are male and 220 are female, with no third gender candidate in the fray.
Which districts are covered in West Bengal's Phase 2 polls?
The 142 constituencies span Kolkata, Nadia, East Burdwan, Hooghly, South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas, and Howrah — seven areas in total including the state capital.
What security arrangements have been made for West Bengal Phase 2 polling?
A total of 2,407 companies of central forces have been deployed, including Central Armed Police Forces, India Reserve Battalion personnel, and armed police from other states, in addition to West Bengal Police and Kolkata Police. Webcasting will be active at all 41,001 polling stations.
When will West Bengal Phase 2 election results be declared?
Results for the second phase of West Bengal Assembly elections will be declared on 4 May, alongside results from other phases of the state polls.
