West Bengal recorded a strong voter turnout of 78.68% till 3 pm in the second phase of the 2026 Assembly elections, with polling continuing across multiple districts under tight security arrangements, according to data released by the Election Commission of India.

The high turnout reflects robust voter participation across the state, where voting is being conducted in 142 constituencies spread across eight districts. Officials reported steady queues at polling stations since morning, with participation remaining strong through the afternoon hours despite isolated incidents of technical and security concerns in some areas.

District-wise trends indicate uneven but generally high participation across regions. Murshidabad, Paschim Medinipur, and Paschim Bardhaman reported strong early engagement, while Purulia and Uttar Dinajpur recorded relatively moderate turnout levels compared to coastal and central districts, where voter mobilisation has historically been higher.

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Election officials noted that several districts had already crossed the 60–70% mark well before the 3 pm update, contributing to the overall statewide figure nearing 80%. Urban centres, including parts of Kolkata, saw steady turnout throughout the day, though rural constituencies continued to lead in participation levels, consistent with past electoral patterns.

Security arrangements remained tight across sensitive constituencies, with central forces deployed at polling stations to ensure peaceful voting. Authorities also monitored isolated complaints of EVM-related issues and localised disturbances, though no major disruptions to the polling process were reported during the day’s voting window.

The 2026 West Bengal elections are being closely watched due to intense political competition between major parties. With voting expected to continue until evening hours, officials anticipate further increases in turnout, potentially pushing the final figure higher than mid-day estimates once all polling stations close.

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