Bengal polls 2026 phase 2 LIVE: Turnout touches 90 pc at 5 pm, elderly voter dies in Howrah

Polling has ended for the second and final phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections, with voters across 142 constituencies casting their ballots in what is widely regarded as a decisive moment in the state’s political cycle. More than 3.2 crore registered voters are eligible to participate, determining the electoral fate of 1,448 candidates contesting across seven key districts, including Kolkata and its adjoining regions.

This phase carries particular political weight, as it covers constituencies that have historically favoured the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). In the previous election, the party secured a dominant share of these seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lagged significantly behind. The outcome today will therefore serve as a crucial indicator of whether the ruling party can retain its stronghold or if opposition forces can make meaningful inroads.

Among the prominent candidates in the fray are chief minister Mamata Banerjee and senior leaders from rival parties, making several constituencies high-profile battlegrounds. A number of state ministers are also seeking re-election, further raising the stakes of this phase.

With counting scheduled for 4 May, today’s turnout and voting patterns will offer early signals of the political direction West Bengal may take in the years ahead.

Voter turnout surged across key districts, with participation levels crossing 90 per cent in most regions.

1. Hooghly – 91.41 per cent

2. Howrah – 90.93 per cent

3. Kolkata North – 88.91 per cent

4. Kolkata South – 87.25 per cent

5. Nadia – 91.35 per cent

6. North 24 Parganas – 91.39 per cent

7. Purba Bardhaman – 93.39 per cent

8. South 24 Parganas – 91.45 per cent

Source: Election Commission of India

An 81-year-old voter, Purnachandra Dolui, died shortly after casting his vote at booth no. 245 in Balarampur Primary School in the Khosalpur area of Udaynarayanpur constituency, triggering a political flashpoint between the TMC and election authorities.

While official accounts attribute the death to a sudden medical episode, the TMC has alleged that Central forces personnel assaulted the elderly man.

According to his family, Dolui had gone to vote accompanied by his son Tarani, who claimed Central forces personnel pushed his father and initially prevented him from entering the booth to assist the frail voter. “The jawans pushed my father,” Tarani said, alleging that the lack of cooperation led to his collapse. He said he would lodge complaints with Amta Police Station and the Election Commission.

Election authorities, however, offered a different account. The district election observer said in a statement: “After casting his vote, he suddenly collapsed near the polling station due to illness. His son was present inside the booth at the time. He was rushed to Amta Hospital but was declared dead on arrival. I inspected the booth afterward; voting is proceeding peacefully.”

Police sources said Dolui began vomiting soon after voting and was declared dead at Amta Hospital. A preliminary inquiry by the district election office echoed this sequence, noting that symptoms appeared immediately after he cast his vote. The state chief electoral officer’s office has sought a detailed report.

TMC national general-secretary Abhishek Banerjee launched a sharp attack on the Central forces, writing on social media: “The Central forces, under Amit Shah's command, have become BJP's personal militia — licensed goons unleashed on Bengal's people.”

He alleged that personnel shoved Dolui and his son and drew parallels with the 2021 Sitalkuchi firing in Cooch Behar.

BJP candidate and outgoing leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikari walked into a TMC camp office while touring polling booths in the high-stakes Bhabanipur constituency.

Adhikari, pitted against chief minister Mamata Banerjee, exchanged smiles and handshakes with TMC workers and supporters, having spotted them. Initially surprised, the TMC workers soon engaged in friendly conversation.

Addressing a female TMC worker, Adhikari said, "We need to stand together." She replied, "Absolutely." A worker then offered him a cold beverage, which he accepted before departing to continue his rounds.

Meanwhile, tension flared in Manteswar in Hooghly district, where voting at booth no. 35 was halted for over three hours. Voters claimed a piece of cellophane tape had been placed next to the TMC candidate's name on the EVM. TMC leader Siddiqullah Chowdhury voiced strong displeasure over the alleged tampering.

Similar allegations surfaced in Falta in South 24 Parganas district, with the BJP levelling allegations this time.

West Bengal chief electoral officer (CEO) Manoj Agarwal said repolling is likely to be announced in booths where EVMs are found tampered with, but a repoll will be ordered only after authorities get reports from the district election officer or election observers on allegations of tampering with EVMs using tapes or blot of ink.

"If a large number of booths in any assembly constituency report such instances of tape being affixed, then re-polling may be conducted across the entire constituency," he added. Meanwhile, a total of 2,196 complaints of various types were received by the EC.

Allegations of an "unprovoked" lathicharge by Central forces on voters queuing outside a polling station have emerged from Baligari No. 1 gram panchayat in the Tarakeswar Assembly constituency.

The incident reportedly occurred at Baligari Adhar Mani Dutta Vidyamandir School. TMC candidate Ramendu Singharay claimed that despite ample space inside the station, voters were forced to wait in the scorching sun. When TMC representatives raised concerns with officials, Central forces personnel allegedly launched a baton charge, indiscriminately assaulting voters — including women.

Singharay further alleged that a cancer patient was knocked down and beaten, and that forces entered nearby homes, beating male and female residents. He has filed a complaint with the Election Commission, demanding an investigation and action against those responsible.

BJP candidate Santu Pan countered that the forces acted to disperse an "unauthorised gathering". Acknowledging women were affected, Pan remarked, "Such things are bound to happen when a crowd gathers." The Election Commission is yet to respond.

Voter turnout across districts in West Bengal during phase 2 of the 2026 Assembly elections seemed to replicate the phase 1 turnout, with multiple regions crossing the 75 per cent mark and some exceeding 80 per cent, as per the 3.00 pm ECI update.

Hooghly – 80.77 per cent

Howrah – 77.73 per cent

Kolkata North – 78.00 per cent

Kolkata South – 75.38 per cent

Nadia – 79.79 per cent

North 24 Parganas – 77.39 per cent

South 24 Parganas – 76.75 per cent

Purba Bardhaman – 83.11 per cent

Allegations of misconduct by Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel have triggered widespread unrest in Satmasa village under Arandi, Arambagh. Residents claim that CRPF jawans entered homes of TMC workers and supporters, physically assaulting several individuals. The incident unfolded near booth no. 173, leaving multiple people injured and sparking intense protests across the village.

Irate villagers reportedly chased the CRPF personnel and state police, forcing them to retreat. Locals are demanding accountability for alleged assaults, with outrage lingering in the area.

In a separate incident, TMC workers in booth no. 129 of Falta Assembly constituency accused CRPF personnel of vandalising their election camp and pressuring voters to support the BJP.

According to reports, polling was proceeding peacefully when the forces allegedly arrived, unleashed a baton charge on TMC supporters, and dismantled the camp. Tension remains high in the vicinity. Authorities have yet to issue an official response to these claims.

Allegations of misconduct by Central forces surfaced once again in Hamkuro village under Asharu gram panchayat (Bagda Assembly constituency).

Local Trinamool Congress sources claim that central forces personnel entered a residence about 200 meters from polling booth no. 224 and assaulted four individuals, including Shailen Mondal, a TMC gram panchayat member, and Shantanu Mondal, a local TMC activist. The incident reportedly followed brewing tensions around the polling process.

TMC MP Mamata Bala Thakur rushed to the scene upon hearing of the clash. She alleged that women were also beaten and accused the forces of targeting TMC workers specifically. Thakur announced plans to file a formal complaint with the Election Commission.

BJP leader Shantanu Thakur, who visited the area earlier, defended the forces' actions. "If TMC tries to loot votes, the forces should not only beat the workers but also their leaders, including Mamata Bala Thakur," he stated.

Authorities are yet to comment on the allegations.

The TMC X handle has posted a video of BJP candidate Priyanka Tibrewal purportedly getting into a confrontation with polling officials.

Reports of high tension emerged from booth no. 116 in Satgachhia as locals alleged that Central forces resorted to a lathicharge to disperse a crowd, during which a two-year-old child — being carried in someone's arms — was struck by a baton. As word of the incident spread, outrage swept the area, prompting residents to surround the forces in protest. Though personnel tried to calm the crowd, explaining it as an unintended mishap, the locals' anger only intensified.

The second phase of voting was progressing peacefully amid elaborate security arrangements, the state's chief electoral officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal said on Wednesday, exuding confidence that the turnout might surpass the first phase figures.

More than 60 per cent of the 3.21 crore electors voted till 1 pm in the second phase of polling in West Bengal amid sporadic violence and attacks on candidates.

Agarwal said extensive security deployment and close monitoring were ensuring a smooth voting process across the state. "In the first phase, West Bengal showed the country that a 93 per cent voter turnout is possible, and that elections can be free and fair. In this phase as well, we aim to match or even exceed that benchmark," Agarwal said.

"There is proper deployment of CAPF, and all arrangements are in place. Voting is taking place completely peacefully, and no complaints are being reported from anywhere," he told reporters.

The rising number of elderly voters in Bengal's housing complexes, along with the convenience of having a polling station at arm’s length, has seen housing societies warm up to the idea of hosting the stations this time. Official figures mention as many as 69 housing societies, with 57 hosting for the first time.

Six of these are in Kolkata, while others are in urban areas of North and South 24 Parganas, Howrah and Hooghly. Well known complexes like Urbana, Silver Springs and Upohar on the eastern fringes of the city and South City on Prince Anwar Shah Road are among those where polling is on in full swing.

The polling station at Silver Spring, next to J.W. Marriott hotel, is an all-women one, including polling officials and paramilitary personnel. Central armed paramilitary forces arrived in most of the complexes by Tuesday along with polling officials — and the owners’ associations had been asked to provide rooms for them to stay overnight, washrooms and a large enough area as a polling booth.

‘’It’s a helpful step on the part of the Election Commission as stepping out in this heat and the waiting becomes an ordeal for the elderly and those not very mobile,’’ said a representative of the Upohar Flat Owners’ Association.

BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya has alleged that voters were prevented from choosing the BJP option at several polling booths in Falta under the Diamond Harbour constituency this morning.

Malviya claimed that in multiple booths, the BJP option was allegedly blocked using tape, calling it the ‘Diamond Harbour Model’ and demanding a repoll in the affected areas.

In a post on X, Malviya wrote: ‘’This is what Mamata Banerjee was defending when she spoke up for Jehangir Khan, a criminal contesting on a TMC ticket from Falta in Diamond Harbour. In several polling booths, the option to vote for the BJP has been blocked using a tape, effectively preventing voters from exercising their choice. This is the so-called Diamond Harbour Model, the same template that helped Mamata Banerjee’s nephew Abhishek Banerjee secure his Lok Sabha seat.’’

Strangely, Malviya did not tag the ECI on his post.

 Fresh tension gripped Bhangar and adjoining areas of South 24 Parganas on Wednesday during voting for the second and final phase of West Bengal Assembly elections, with the Indian Secular Front (ISF) alleging intimidation of polling agents and attempts to influence voters by TMC workers.

Trouble was reported from several pockets of Bhangar and Canning Purba constituency since morning, prompting heavy deployment of central forces, state police and NIA teams in sensitive areas.

At Hedia in Canning Purba constituency, the ISF alleged that one of its polling agents at booth number 142 received death threats from TMC supporters.

ISF candidate Arabul Islam rushed to the spot after receiving the complaint and accused the administration of failing to ensure a fair election.

Security personnel lathicharge women in West Bengal's Falta assembly seat which is a stronghold of TMC candidate Jahangir Khan.

Nearly 40 per cent of the 3.21 crore electors voted till 11 am of the second phase of polling in West Bengal amid sporadic violence, while tension gripped the Bhabanipur seat briefly as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Suvendu Adhikari took swipes at one another in the same booth area.

Voters queued up from 7 am outside booths in Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, Nadia, North and South 24 Parganas and Purba Bardhaman districts, which form Bengal's electoral and political core.

Of the total electorate eligible to vote in this phase, 1.57 crore are women, and 792 are third-gender.

Till 11 am, West Bengal recorded 39.97 per cent polling with Purba Bardhaman registering the highest turnout at 44.50 per cent, followed by Hooghly at 43.12 per cent and Nadia at 40.34 per cent.

Howrah recorded 39.45 per cent polling, while North 24 Parganas registered 38.43 per cent. Kolkata North and Kolkata South recorded 38.39 per cent and 36.78 per cent turnout, respectively.

South 24 Parganas, a politically crucial district witnessing several high-profile contests, recorded 37.9 per cent voting.

The first phase of polls in 152 Assembly seats of West Bengal on April 23 also recorded more than 41 per cent polling till 11 am.

TMC Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien on Wednesday challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to resign if the BJP loses the West Bengal Assembly elections to the Mamata Banerjee-led party.

In a video message, O'Brien claimed that Modi had projected himself as the BJP's face across all 294 Assembly seats in the state and dared him to accept the challenge.

"You yourself announced that you are the candidate in all 294 seats in Bengal. Stop making tall claims and accept this challenge. On May 4, when Mamata Banerjee and the TMC win Bengal, have the courage to resign from the post of PM," the TMC MP said.

The remarks come amid an intense political battle between the ruling TMC and the BJP in the ongoing Assembly elections in the state.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday morning landed in the same polling booth area in Bhabanipur's Chakraberia and took swipes at one another without any direct interaction or exchange of courtesies.

The incident took place in ward number 70 of Chakraberia, where Banerjee was already seated outside after receiving complaints of alleged intimidation of local TMC leaders.

However, they did not come face-to-face.

While Banerjee accused the BJP of trying to "rig" the election using central forces, police observers and election officials, Adhikari dismissed her allegations as signs of "frustration", claiming the chief minister had realised that "not a single vote" was coming her way.

Read more here

NIA officials have been deployed in at least seven Assembly seats of West Bengal where the second phase of polling is underway on Wednesday, after the Election Commission asked the federal probe agency to ensure bombs are not used to disrupt polling.

The sleuths of the federal anti-terror agency have been deployed in seven Assembly seats, including Kasba, Bhangar, Baruipur, and Bishnupur, an official said.

"Yes, the NIA has been assigned to booths in these places. The decision was taken based on specific inputs," he said, adding that Bhangar have been included in the list due to its history of poll-related violence.

The directive comes after the recovery of crude bombs in the poll-bound state and reports of a minor blast. On April 26, police recovered crude bombs from the house of a person, allegedly a TMC worker, at Bhangar

As voting got underway for the second phase of assembly elections in West Bengal on Wednesday, the weather department warned of possible thunderstorms and rain later in the day, particularly across South Bengal and Kolkata.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said stormy conditions are likely to prevail in several polling districts, even as voters turned out amid sweltering heat and high humidity levels that pushed discomfort levels significantly.

Read more

Voters in Baranagar in North 24 Parganas have complained of an EVM malfunction at booth number 72, leading to disruption in the polling process. Election officials have been informed, and efforts are underway to rectify the issue and resume voting at the earliest.

Around 18.39 per cent of over 3.21 crore voters cast their ballots within the first two hours of polling in the second and final phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections, according to Election Commission officials.

Purba Bardhaman recorded the highest turnout at 20.86 per cent, followed by Hooghly (20.16 per cent) and Nadia (18.5 per cent), while turnout in North 24 Parganas, Kolkata Uttar, South 24 Parganas and Kolkata Dakshin ranged between 16 and 18 per cent.

Officials said voting is largely peaceful despite a few minor incidents, with polling underway across 142 constituencies under tight security and extensive monitoring at over 41,000 booths.

Incidents of violence and vandalism were reported from several parts of West Bengal during the early hours of voting in the second phase of the Assembly elections, police said. Clashes were reported from areas including Chapra, Shantipur, Nimtala and Bhangar, raising concerns over poll-day security.

In Chapra in Nadia district, a BJP polling agent was allegedly assaulted, with party leaders accusing workers linked to the ruling Trinamool Congress of carrying out the attack. The injured individual, identified as Mosharef Mir, was admitted to a local hospital after sustaining head injuries. BJP candidate Saikat Sarkar claimed the incident occurred shortly after the mock poll began, alleging that the agent was obstructed and attacked.

A complaint has been filed with the police, while the Trinamool Congress has denied the allegations. The injured polling agent alleged that a group of assailants charged at him, one of whom was armed, and that he was struck with a rod before collapsing.

More here

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday appealed to voters in West Bengal to exercise their franchise without fear, emphasising the need to support progressive values and development. His remarks came as polling began for 142 Assembly constituencies in the second and final phase of the elections. Voting for the remaining seats follows the first phase held on 23 April, completing the electoral process across all 294 constituencies in the state.

Tension gripped the Bali Assembly constituency in Howrah after an EVM malfunction disrupted voting at a polling booth in Don Bosco Lilua Sahanlal Vidyalaya. Voters reportedly grew agitated as polling was halted due to the technical glitch, leading to a deterioration in the situation. Central security forces deployed at the booth intervened and resorted to a lathicharge to bring the situation under control. Officials said two individuals have been arrested in connection with the incident.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited several polling stations in her Bhabanipur constituency on Wednesday morning, hours after voting began in the second and final phase of the Assembly elections. Departing earlier than her usual polling-day routine, she toured booths in areas including Chetla in south Kolkata, reviewing arrangements and interacting with officials.

Bhabanipur, considered her political stronghold, is witnessing a high-profile contest against Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, in a battle widely seen as a symbolic rematch of the 2021 Nandigram election. Voting is underway across 142 constituencies in key districts, with tight security in place and polling scheduled to continue until 6 p.m. The outcome of this phase is expected to play a decisive role in shaping the state’s political landscape ahead of counting on 4 May.

The Election Commission of India has directed the National Investigation Agency to take preventive measures against the use of crude bombs to disrupt voting in West Bengal. The move follows recent recoveries of explosives and reports of a minor blast in poll-bound areas.

Officials said the Commission is adopting strict measures to curb any violence on polling day and in its aftermath, with a focus on ensuring voter safety and protecting political workers.

The Trinamool Congress has levelled serious allegations of misconduct against an Election Commission-appointed police observer in South 24 Parganas, intensifying political tensions during the ongoing West Bengal Assembly polls. The controversy centres around Ajay Pal Sharma, a 2011-batch IPS officer currently serving as Deputy Inspector General in Prayagraj, who was recently deployed as a police observer for four Assembly constituencies in the district.

Sharma’s appointment came after the replacement of Parmar Smit Parshottamdas, a 2017-batch officer, who was also accused by the Trinamool Congress of breaching neutrality. The party alleged that Parshottamdas held a meeting with BJP candidate Gour Sundar Ghosh at a hotel in Diamond Harbour, raising concerns over impartiality.

Further controversy erupted after a video clip surfaced on social media, purportedly showing Sharma warning locals of strict consequences if they failed to disclose the whereabouts of Trinamool Congress candidate Jahangir Khan in Falta. The Trinamool Congress has cited the video as evidence of alleged bias and intimidation and has called for strict action.

Notably, Sharma was not part of the Election Commission’s original list of police observers released earlier in April, adding another layer of scrutiny to his sudden appointment. The Election Commission has yet to issue an official response to the allegations.

Election authorities have said preparations for the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly polls are complete, with extensive measures in place to ensure smooth voting. Senior officials said that over 41,000 polling stations across South Bengal are ready, backed by the deployment of nearly 2,400 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF).

PTI reported that they added that while officials expect a peaceful polling process, contingency plans are in place to address any potential law and order challenges.

Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra cast her vote at the Karimpur Girls’ High School polling station in Nadia district during the ongoing phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections. Voting is underway across the constituency amid tight security, with several prominent leaders participating early in the day.

Voting for the second and final phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections began at 7 a.m. on Wednesday across 142 constituencies, marking a crucial moment in the state’s electoral contest. Polling is underway in key districts including Kolkata, Howrah, and North and South 24 Parganas, with voters queuing early at booths, PTI reported.

The phase is seen as decisive for the ruling Trinamool Congress, led by Mamata Banerjee, as it seeks to retain dominance in its traditional strongholds, while the BJP aims to make significant gains. Tight security arrangements have been put in place to ensure smooth and peaceful voting.