24 April
Bumper Voting in Bengal as Turnout Crosses 92%, Even High Deletion Constituencies See Over 95% Participation
Kolkata: West Bengal scripted a major electoral milestone as voter turnout surged to 92.9% in the first phase of the 2026 Assembly elections, marking the highest participation in over a decade, according to the Election Commission of India. The polling, held on April 23 across 152 constituencies, witnessed overwhelming public enthusiasm despite concerns over large-scale voter list deletions under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
High Turnout Despite 9.1 Million Voter Deletions
The election assumes significance as it is the first in the state after the SIR exercise, under which nearly 9.1 million voters were removed from electoral rolls. Officials clarified that deletions were due to reasons such as death, migration, or duplicate registrations.
Despite this, the state recorded one of its highest voter turnouts since independence, signaling strong democratic participation even in the face of controversy.
Over 95% Voting in High-Deletion Constituencies
Remarkably, constituencies that witnessed maximum deletions under SIR reported exceptionally high voter turnout.
In Samserganj (Murshidabad), where over 91,712 names were deleted, turnout touched 96.03%, making it one of the highest in the state. Other constituencies including Lalgola (96.45%), Bhagwangola (96.95%), Raghunathganj (96.9%), and Farakka (96.05%) also recorded above 96% voting, defying expectations.
Samserganj Emerges as Key Political Battleground
Samserganj, Assembly constituency number 56 under Malda South Lok Sabha segment, remains a crucial swing seat. Historically contested, it has shifted political control over the years, from the CPI(M) to the All India Trinamool Congress. The 2026 election sees a triangular contest involving TMC, Congress, and the Bharatiya Janata Party, intensifying political stakes.
Highest Turnout Since 2011 Political Shift
The previous high turnout in West Bengal stood at 84.72% in 2011, when Mamata Banerjee ended the 34-year rule of CPI(M). In the current phase, women voters recorded 92.69% turnout, slightly higher than male turnout at 90.92%, indicating strong female participation.
SIR Sparks Political Debate Across Parties
The SIR exercise, initiated nationwide in June 2025 and implemented in West Bengal from October, became a major political flashpoint. Opposition parties, including TMC and Congress, criticized the move, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee even challenging it in the Supreme Court, comparing it to the controversial NRC process.
War of Words Intensifies After Voting
Following the high turnout, the TMC claimed that public participation had nullified the impact of voter deletions, asserting that voters turned out in large numbers to protect their future.
“Despite the removal of millions of names, Bengal has responded with record-breaking turnout. The BJP’s strategy has failed,” the party said.
On the other hand, Union Home Minister Amit Shah hit back, stating that the “sun has set on TMC’s corruption and misrule,” signaling a fierce political battle ahead as counting approaches.
