West Bengal polls Phase 2: 61.11% voter turnout in first six hours across 142 constituencies
Synopsis
West Bengal's Phase 2 polls are on track for strong participation, with 61.11% turnout in six hours — well above the 2024 Lok Sabha benchmark of 45.10%. But Falta constituency has emerged as a flashpoint, with both an EVM tape controversy and TMC voter intimidation allegations drawing central force intervention and an Election Commission probe.
Key Takeaways
61.11% voter turnout was recorded in the first six hours of West Bengal Phase 2 polls on 29 April across 142 constituencies .
East Burdwan led district-wise turnout at 66.80% ; Kolkata (Dakshin) recorded the lowest at 57.73% .
Phase 2 turnout significantly outpaces the 45.10% average in the same window during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections .
Allegations of voter intimidation by TMC activists surfaced in Falta, South 24 Parganas ; CRPF escorted voters to booths.
An EVM button for the BJP candidate at a Falta booth was found covered with white tape ; the ECI has ordered a probe.
Observer count rose to 142 general observers and 95 police observers , up from 84 in Phase 1.
Voting in the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections recorded a 61.11% turnout in the first six hours till 1 pm on Wednesday, 29 April, across 142 constituencies. The figure is marginally lower than the 62.18% logged in the same window during the first phase on 23 April, which covered 152 Assembly constituencies.
District-wise Voter Turnout
East Burdwan district led all districts with the highest turnout at 66.80% by 1 pm, followed by Hooghly at 64.57% and Nadia at 61.41%. Howrah recorded 60.68%, while the electoral district of Kolkata (Uttar) stood at 60.18%. North 24 Parganas clocked 59.20%, South 24 Parganas at 58.58%, and Kolkata (Dakshin) at 57.73%.
Notably, the overall Phase 2 turnout is substantially higher than the 45.10% average recorded in the same six-hour window across the seven-phase 2024 Lok Sabha elections, indicating strong voter mobilisation in this cycle.
Security and Observer Deployment
Despite scattered reports of poll-related disturbances from certain pockets since morning, no casualties, major injuries, or large-scale voter intimidation have been reported as of the afternoon. Officials attributed the relatively peaceful conduct to heightened central force deployment, with 142 general observers and 95 police observers — up from 84 in Phase 1 — maintaining strict surveillance across constituencies.
Allegations Against Trinamool Congress in Falta
In the last two hours of voting, allegations emerged against the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of threatening villagers in Dakshin Basulnath village under the Falta Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas district. Villagers alleged that TMC activists coerced them either to vote for the ruling party or to refrain from voting altogether.
A large contingent of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), led by an Inspector General-rank officer, was deployed to the spot and escorted voters safely to the polling booth.
EVM Controversy at Falta Booth
Falta drew further scrutiny on Wednesday after it was observed that the EVM button beside the name of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate at one booth had been covered with white tape. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has ordered a probe into the incident. This is the second controversy to emerge from the same constituency within hours, placing Falta at the centre of electoral oversight concerns.
With polling continuing through the day, final turnout figures and any further incident reports are expected by evening.
Point of View
But the real story from Phase 2 is Falta — where an EVM tape incident and voter coercion allegations emerged from the same constituency within hours of each other. That convergence is not coincidental and warrants scrutiny beyond a routine ECI probe. Meanwhile, the 61.11% figure, while marginally lower than Phase 1, dwarfs the 2024 Lok Sabha benchmark, suggesting that assembly elections continue to draw deeper local engagement. The expanded observer deployment appears to have contained large-scale violence, but isolated incidents of alleged TMC pressure on voters in South 24 Parganas reflect a pattern that has recurred across Bengal electoral cycles — and one that central forces alone cannot structurally resolve.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the voter turnout in West Bengal Phase 2 elections by 1 pm?
The voter turnout in the second phase of West Bengal Assembly elections stood at 61.11% in the first six hours till 1 pm on 29 April, across 142 constituencies. This is slightly lower than the 62.18% recorded in the same window during Phase 1 on 23 April.
Which district recorded the highest turnout in West Bengal Phase 2 polling?
East Burdwan district recorded the highest turnout at 66.80% by 1 pm, followed by Hooghly at 64.57% and Nadia at 61.41%.
What is the EVM controversy at Falta constituency?
At a polling booth in Falta constituency in South 24 Parganas, the EVM button beside the BJP candidate's name was found covered with white tape. The Election Commission of India has ordered a probe into the incident.
What voter intimidation allegations have emerged from Falta?
Villagers in Dakshin Basulnath village under Falta Assembly constituency alleged that Trinamool Congress activists threatened them to either vote for the ruling party or stay away from polling. A CRPF contingent led by an Inspector General-rank officer was deployed and escorted voters to the booth.
How does West Bengal Phase 2 turnout compare to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections?
The 61.11% turnout in the first six hours of Phase 2 is substantially higher than the 45.10% average recorded in the same period during the seven-phase 2024 Lok Sabha elections, reflecting stronger voter engagement in the state assembly polls.
