Kolkata, April 29: Voter turnout in the second phase of West Bengal Assembly elections remained robust, crossing 78 per cent within the first eight hours of polling, reflecting sustained participation across districts despite scattered reports of disturbances.
According to data released by the Election Commission of India, polling for 142 constituencies recorded 78.68 per cent turnout by 3 p.m. on Wednesday. With voting scheduled to continue till 6 p.m. officials expressed confidence that the final turnout could reach around 93 per cent, matching the high participation seen in the first phase.
The turnout in the current phase is marginally lower than the 78.77 per cent recorded during the initial six hours of polling in the first phase held on April 23, which covered 152 constituencies. However, officials noted that the trend of consistently high voting throughout the day has remained a common feature in both phases.
An insider from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, pointed out that the usual afternoon dip in voter turnout typically observed between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. has not been as pronounced this time. “In recent elections, polling tends to slow during these hours before picking up again later in the day. But in both phases this time, turnout has remained steady even during that period,” the official said.
District-wise figures indicate strong participation across regions, with East Burdwan leading the charts. The district recorded the highest turnout at 83.11 per cent, followed by Hooghly at 80.77 per cent and Nadia at 79.79 per cent. Other districts also reported high levels of voting, with Kolkata (North) at 78 per cent, Howrah at 77.73 per cent, North 24 Parganas at 77.39 per cent, South 24 Parganas at 76.75 per cent, and Kolkata (South) at 75.38 per cent.
The data suggests a significant increase in voter participation compared to national trends. During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the average turnout during a similar time frame stood at around 58.5 per cent, highlighting the relatively higher engagement in the ongoing Assembly polls.
At the constituency level, Galsi in East Burdwan district recorded the highest turnout at 85.11 per cent by 3 p.m., while Maheshtala in South 24 Parganas reported the lowest at 70.1 per cent. Despite this variation, most constituencies maintained turnout levels well above the national average.
The high profile Bhabanipur Assembly constituency in South Kolkata also witnessed significant voter participation. The seat has drawn attention due to the contest between Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari. Polling in the constituency stood at 75.66 per cent by 3 p.m.
Adhikari had earlier indicated that a turnout crossing 80 per cent could favour his prospects, suggesting that higher voter participation might translate into a larger margin of victory.
Despite the encouraging turnout figures, the polling process has not been entirely without challenges, with sporadic incidents of violence and technical glitches reported from some areas. However, authorities maintained that overall voting has progressed smoothly across most constituencies.
With a few hours of polling remaining, election officials are closely monitoring the situation and ensuring that security arrangements remain in place to facilitate uninterrupted voting. The sustained voter enthusiasm is expected to play a decisive role in shaping the outcome of one of the most closely watched electoral contests in the state.
The final turnout figures will be closely analysed as an indicator of voter sentiment, especially in key constituencies where political stakes remain high.
