West Bengal Final Phase Voting Starts; PM Modi Seeks High Turnout
Bengal final phase polls begin; Modi urges record turnout.
Voting for the second and final phase of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections began on April 29, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging citizens to “vote in record numbers” as polling got underway across key constituencies.
The final phase covers 142 assembly seats spread across several districts, including Kolkata and parts of south Bengal, making it a stage in the high-stakes electoral battle. Polling commenced at 7:00 am, with over 3.2 crore voters eligible to cast their ballots in this phase.
In a message posted on social media, Modi appealed to voters to participate actively, particularly encouraging women and young voters to exercise their franchise. He emphasised that strong voter turnout would help make democracy “more vibrant and participative.”
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The phase is widely seen as critical in determining whether the ruling Trinamool Congress can retain its dominance in south Bengal or if the Bharatiya Janata Party can make significant electoral gains. High-profile contests, including the face-off between Mamata Banerjee and Suvendu Adhikari, have further intensified the political stakes.
Extensive security arrangements have been put in place to ensure smooth polling, with large deployments of central forces and state police across sensitive areas. Election authorities have also implemented strict monitoring to prevent disruptions and maintain order throughout the voting process.
Early visuals showed voters queuing up outside polling stations in multiple districts, reflecting strong participation. However, isolated incidents such as clashes and technical glitches with electronic voting machines have been reported in some areas, though officials said the overall process remains under control.
The counting of votes is scheduled for May 4, when the results will determine the next government in West Bengal. Until then, turnout figures and developments from this final phase are expected to shape the political narrative in the state.
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