West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026: Voter Turnout Reaches 62.18% by 1 PM in Phase 1

Thursday, April 23, 2026 5:08 pmThursday, April 23, 2026 5:08 pm Pushkarini Annabathula

Polling in the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 saw strong voter participation on April 23, with turnout reaching 62.18% by 1 PM, according to election officials. Voting continued across multiple constituencies amid steady queues at polling stations.

Key Announcements / Highlights

Overall voter turnout stood at 62.18% by early afternoon.
Samserganj recorded the highest turnout at 71.07%.
Chanchal reported the lowest turnout at 53.81%.
High-profile constituencies such as Nandigram and Kharagpur saw turnout above 60%.
Officials expect final turnout figures to increase further by evening.

Constituency-Wise Trends

Among the leading constituencies, Samserganj in Murshidabad district recorded the highest participation at 71.07%, followed by Raghunathganj (70.29%) and Chandrakona (69.41%). Suti and Garbeta also reported strong turnout figures above 67%.

On the lower end, Chanchal in Malda district recorded 53.81% turnout. Other constituencies with comparatively lower participation included English Bazar, Siliguri, Jalpaiguri, Purulia, and Chakulia, all reporting turnout between 55% and 57%.

In key political constituencies, Nandigram registered 65.46% turnout, while Tamluk saw 63.77%. Kharagpur recorded around 66%, with Jhargram, Midnapore, and Bankura also reporting participation levels above 63%.

Official Statement

Election authorities indicated that polling remained largely smooth, with voters turning out in significant numbers despite varying turnout levels across regions. Officials noted that participation is typically higher in rural areas during earlier hours and may rise further as the day progresses.

Context / Background

The West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 are being conducted in phases to manage security and logistics across the state. High voter turnout is often seen as a key indicator of public engagement in the democratic process.

The Election Commission of India oversees polling arrangements, including deployment of security personnel and monitoring of sensitive constituencies to ensure free and fair elections.

Public Impact

Strong voter participation reflects active civic engagement and can influence electoral outcomes significantly. Higher turnout in rural regions may shape constituency-level results, while urban turnout trends are often closely monitored for shifts in voter behaviour.

The smooth conduct of polling also reassures voters about accessibility and safety, particularly in areas previously marked as sensitive.

With polling still underway, officials expect turnout figures to climb further by the end of the day. The early trends indicate robust participation in Phase 1, setting the tone for the remaining stages of the election process in West Bengal.

Inputs & Images: Hindusthan Samachar

Edited by: Pushkarini Annabathula

Also Read : CTET RESULT 2026 EXPECTED SOON: CBSE LIKELY TO ANNOUNCE FEBRUARY EXAM RESULTS ON OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Add republicpost.in as preferred source on google – Click Here

Last Updated on: Thursday, April 23, 2026 5:08 pm by Pushkarini Annabathula | Published by: Pushkarini Annabathula on Thursday, April 23, 2026 5:08 pm | News Categories: Latest