Bengal re-polling: 15 booths record 86.90% turnout, conclude peacefully
Synopsis
With 86.90% turnout already logged and the final figure expected to cross 90%, West Bengal's re-polling in 15 booths underscores the extraordinary voter participation trend of this election cycle — one that has already shattered national records. With counting on 4 May and most exit polls predicting a BJP sweep, the stakes could not be higher.
Key Takeaways
Re-polling in 15 booths across South 24 Parganas , West Bengal concluded peacefully on 2 May from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Average turnout stood at 86.90% till 5 p.m.; the final figure is expected to cross 90% .
Magrahat (Paschim) recorded 86.11% across 11 booths; Diamond Harbour posted 87.60% across 4 booths.
The broader Bengal election recorded 93% turnout across two phases — a record since independence, surpassing Tripura's 91.82% in 2013.
Most exit polls predict the end of the 15-year TMC regime and a BJP win; vote count is on 4 May .
Re-polling across 15 polling booths in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal concluded peacefully on Saturday, 2 May, with an average turnout of 86.90% recorded till 5 p.m. The exercise, spread across two Assembly constituencies, ran from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. under blanket security coverage of central forces, assisted by state police personnel, with no reports of poll-related tension, violence, or disruption from any booth.
Booth-wise Turnout Figures
Of the 15 booths that went for re-polling, 11 booths fell under the Magrahat (Paschim) Assembly constituency, recording an average polling percentage of 86.11% till 5 p.m. The remaining four booths under the Diamond Harbour constituency posted a higher average of 87.60% in the same period, according to figures released by the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal.
Re-polling in Magrahat (Paschim) took place at booths 46, 126, 127, 128, 142, 214, 215, 216, 230, 231, and 232, while Diamond Harbour saw re-polling at booths 117, 179, 194, and 243.
An insider from the Chief Electoral Officer's office indicated that the final average polling percentage across all 15 booths is expected to cross 90% once tabulation is complete — a figure described as notably high for a re-polling exercise. The final tally is expected either later on Saturday or by Sunday morning.
Historic Turnout in the Broader Bengal Polls
The re-polling comes in the backdrop of a record-breaking two-phase Assembly election in West Bengal. The average polling percentage across Phase 1 on 23 April and Phase 2 on 29 April touched 93%, breaking all state records since independence. Nationally, the previous benchmark had been set in Tripura in 2013, when turnout reached 91.82%. Within West Bengal, the previous high was recorded during the 2011 Assembly elections — the year that ended the 34-year Left Front regime and ushered in the Mamata Banerjee-led All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) government.
What the Exit Polls Predict
Most exit poll surveys, barring two, have predicted the end of the 15-year Trinamool Congress regime in West Bengal and the beginning of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rule in the state. These projections, however, remain indicative and are subject to the actual vote count.
Count Day and Results
Vote counting is scheduled for 4 May, with results to be declared on the same day. The outcome will determine whether West Bengal undergoes a significant political shift, as a majority of exit polls have suggested, or whether the Trinamool Congress retains power for a fourth consecutive term.
Point of View
Where turnout hit 93%. Whether that energy translates into a change of guard will be known on 4 May, but the sheer scale of participation has already rewritten the record books. The political subtext is equally charged: with most exit polls backing the BJP, the counting day will test whether high turnout, historically associated with anti-incumbency in Bengal, holds true once again.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was re-polling ordered in 15 booths in West Bengal?
Re-polling was ordered for 15 booths across the Magrahat (Paschim) and Diamond Harbour Assembly constituencies in South 24 Parganas district, though the specific reasons for the original poll irregularities were not detailed in the official announcement. Such re-polling is typically ordered by the Election Commission when booth-level violations or technical failures are reported during the original voting day.
What was the voter turnout in the West Bengal re-polling on 2 May?
The average turnout across all 15 re-polling booths stood at 86.90% till 5 p.m. on 2 May. Officials from the Chief Electoral Officer's office expect the final figure to cross 90% once tabulation is complete.
When will West Bengal election results be announced?
Vote counting is scheduled for 4 May, and results will be declared on the same day. The outcome will determine the next government in West Bengal.
What do exit polls predict for the West Bengal Assembly election?
Most exit poll surveys, except two, have predicted the end of the 15-year Trinamool Congress regime and the start of a Bharatiya Janata Party government in West Bengal. These remain projections and will be tested against actual results on 4 May.
How does this election's turnout compare to past records?
The two-phase West Bengal election recorded an average turnout of 93%, breaking all state records since independence. Nationally, the previous high was Tripura's 91.82% in 2013. Within Bengal, the earlier record was set in the 2011 elections that ended the 34-year Left Front rule.
