West Bengal Election 2026 LIVE: 18.39% Voter Turnout Recorded Till 9 AM, Purba Bardhaman Leads Polling In 142 Seats

According to the Election Commission, West Bengal has recorded a voter turnout of 18.39% until 9:00 AM in the second phase of polling. This phase covers 142 assembly seats across the state.

Amid the second and final phase of polling on Wednesday, TMC Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien took a sharp swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, daring him to resign from the top post if the ruling TMC wins the State.

In a post on X, Mr. O’Brien said, “Narendra, you had announced that you are the candidate for all 294 seats in Bengal. Drop the big talk. Accept this challenge.” He further wrote, “On 4 May, when Mamata Banerjee and TMC win Bengal, RESIGN FROM THE PRIME MINISTER’S POST. Got the guts?”

The challenge comes as West Bengal records high voter turnout, with results scheduled to be declared on May 4.

-ANI

CM Mamata Banerjee, speaking in Kolkata, expressed concerns over the voting process, stating, “We want that the voting procedures are carried out peacefully. However, many officials and observers have been brought in who don't understand Bengal. There are some observers who are targeting TMC agents.”

Banerjee further alleged a late-night incident involving central forces: “Yesterday night CRPF, without police, attacked the house of the councillor of 70 number ward. He was not home at the time, only his wife and child was there, they still vandalised his house.”

-PTI

An NIA team has arrived in Bhangar, West Bengal, to take over investigations into recent blast and bomb recovery cases in the district. While the agency has initiated its probe, the accused in these cases remain at large.

SDPO Dipayan Bhattacharya inspected polling booths in Tehatta. "Tight security arrangements have been made and everything is peaceful so far. No reports of any problems have been received so far," he stated, reported PTI.

ITBP assists elderly voters during West Bengal assembly poll second phase at Apeejay School, Kolkata.

Election Commission-appointed IPS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre Ajay Pal Sharma conducts inspection of polling booth in South 24 Parganas as voting for second phase underway, according to PTI.

BJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari stated, "It is too soon to predict anything. I just want to ask everyone to come out and vote." He noted that turnout appears higher than in previous years, expecting "around 20% voting in the first two hours."

Adhikari added, "I have just taken blessings from Bajrang Bali and Mamata Banerjee's defeat is certain... I especially want to ask Sanatani Hindus to come out in large numbers and vote if they do not want to become refugees in their own land. This is your last chance..."

After voting at Subhokhon Community Hall in Belgachia, BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty stated he did not seek any "extra facility" for the process. "I can guarantee that the voting will be conducted properly, and I thank the Election Commission for making this possible," he said, expressing confidence that the election will go well.

TMC MP Mamata Bala Thakur has cast her vote in Thakurnagar. Following her exit from the booth, she stated that the party intends to file a formal complaint with the Election Commission regarding reported EVM glitches in the area.

BJP leader and veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty has cast his vote at the Subhokhon Community Hall in Belgachia.

After casting his vote at the Mitra Institute in Bhawanipur, TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee targeted the conduct of election officials. “The way police observers have been behaving is concerning. The Constitution, the CrPC, the BNS, or any Election Commission guideline does not give them the mandate to conduct raids,” Banerjee said.

He accused the observers of flouting High Court, Supreme Court, and Election Commission guidelines to "exceed their brief and mandate," adding, “They appear to be acting at the behest of their political masters sitting in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. However, none of these tactics will work.” He also noted that while mock polls have concluded, it is too early to jump to conclusions about the results, reported PTI.

Reports of violence and vandalism have emerged from multiple areas during the early hours of polling. According to the police, these incidents occurred in Chapra, Shantipur, Nimtala, and Bhangar, according to PTI.

A clash reportedly broke out in Bally, Howrah, following an EVM technical glitch. CRPF personnel have detained two individuals in connection with the unrest.

TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee has cast his vote at the Mitra Institute in Bhawanipur.

BJP's Dilip Ghosh has compared West Bengal unfavorably to Kashmir. "Bengal’s condition is worse than Kashmir," he said, alleging that while Kashmir is peaceful, Bengal faces "multiple violent incidents."

-PTI

Priests from the ISKCON Temple arrived at La Martiniere School today to cast their ballots. ISKCON Kolkata spokesperson Radharamn Das highlighted the spiritual significance of the day, stating, “Actually, Krishna devotees remember the Lord before doing any task... Today is also the festival of elections, which is very important.”

Das explained that the group maintained their daily spiritual routine before heading to the booths. “As Krishna devotees always perform kirtan, we came here chanting, and now we will all cast our votes," he added, emphasising the importance of participating in the democratic process.

-PTI

BJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari has left Kolkata for Bhabanipur as polling for the final phase gets underway. Adhikari is challenging Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in her home bastion today, reported PTI.

TMC’s Saokat Molla alleges clashes in Bhangar. He claims party workers were hospitalised after last night's violence and blames the police for the situation, PTI reported.

BJP candidate Rupa Ganguly has cast her vote in Sonarpur Dakshin. She reported, "There was some problem in the begining but that has been resolved now."

Ganguly highlighted the high voter enthusiasm, noting that people have been queuing since 6:30 AM. Despite the initial setbacks, she confirmed the current situation is stable, stating, "Voting is going on well."

-PTI

BJP leader and veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty has arrived at the Subhokhon Community Hall in Belgachia. He is present at the polling station to cast his ballot as voting continues in the second phase of the assembly election, according to PTI.

Security has been tightened at the Mitra Institute polling booth in Bhawanipur. TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee is scheduled to cast his vote at this location today.

Polling is currently underway for 142 constituencies in the second and final phase of the West Bengal assembly elections. At La Martiniere For Boys School in Kolkata, a large number of voters, including senior citizens, have come out to cast their ballots.

The process is being conducted amid unprecedented security arrangements. This high-stakes contest is expected to decide whether the ruling TMC retains its dominance over the southern districts or if the BJP can force open the gates of power in the state.

-PTI

After casting her vote, TMC MP Mahua Moitra says, “I’m very happy to be able to cast my vote early in the morning." She noted that they intend to continue what was started in the first phase.

Describing the current atmosphere, Moitra stated, "What we saw in the first phase, and what we are likely to see today, is something I would describe as ‘revenge voting’." She added that while voting is usually a celebration of democracy, "this time it feels like a form of military rule, as you can see." Moitra concluded by stating they expect to see strong voter turnout throughout the day, noting they have never seen an election like this before.

-PTI

TMC MP Mahua Moitra has officially cast her vote. The parliamentarian participated in the process as polling continues across the district, reported PTI.

A BJP agent alleges an attack and blames TMC workers for the incident as the assembly election continues.

Madhuparna Thakur, the TMC candidate from Bagdha seat, says, "Polling is underway peacefully. There is no problem." She noted that the state police is doing good service to ensure smooth polling.

Thakur also issued a call to action for the youth. "I would urge young voters to come out and vote as each vote is important. Youngsters must come out to vote to elect their government," she stated, according to PTI.

The Election Commission of India (@ECISVEEP) recently shared an update regarding the ongoing polls. The ECI posted, "That smile says it all A young elector after casting his vote at a PS in 161 Ballygunge AC, under DEO Kolkata South."

-PTI

TMC leader Jayprakash Majumdar expressed total certainty regarding the election outcome today. He claims the Trinamool Congress is headed for a very comfortable victory.

"When the result will come out on May 4, we are 100 per cent confident... Mamata Banerjee will chief minister for the fourth time in Bengal," Majumdar stated, reported PTI.

Long queues of voters are seen at the DDC Girls High School, Kaywa, Purba Bardhaman, polling booth. The second phase of voting for the assembly election is currently underway.

BJP candidate from Bhatpara, Pawan Singh, said, “The expectation is 100 per cent, and it’s not just my expectation. Other candidates in my constituency are also feeling more hopeful this time. If our voters become more aware and go out to vote, it will be much better, because many people treat voting day like a holiday and don’t go to vote. Voting is both a right and a responsibility for everyone. If you want change, you must vote.”

He said the security situation has generally remained poor, but added, “However, after the recent attack on us, where a member of the central forces was shot, the administration now appears to be more strict.” He said many of those involved are either absconding or have been arrested, adding, “Our focus is to spread awareness among people... please go out and cast your vote.”

Voters were seen queuing up outside polling centres in Hingalganj and Minakhan as voting for the second phase of the Assembly elections began., according to PTI.

BJP candidate from Noapara, Arjun Singh, said, “People contest elections with the intention to win,” and claimed that the election in West Bengal is witnessing a “wave of change,” expressing confidence that the Bharatiya Janata Party will win.

He said that if violence occurs, the responsibility lies with the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, and that the Election Commission must act firmly, adding it should take action “no matter who the troublemakers are,” and be prepared to “respond in the same language if needed,” with “no compromise” from its side.

-PTI

Mock polling is underway at a booth at Mitra School in Bhawanipur ahead of Phase 2 voting. Polling across 142 constituencies will be held later today, reported PTI.