Over 3.6 crore eligible to cast votes in first phase of Bengal polls: EC

More than 3.6 crore electors across 16 districts are set to vote in the first phase of the West Bengal assembly elections on 23 April, according to Election Commission (EC) data released on Saturday.

The electoral rolls include 1.84 crore men, 1.75 crore women and 465 third-gender voters.

Murshidabad has the highest number of voters at 50.26 lakh, followed by Purba Medinipur (41.60 lakh) and Paschim Medinipur (37.70 lakh), while Kalimpong has the lowest at 2.01 lakh.

In north Bengal, Cooch Behar has 22.63 lakh electors, Jalpaiguri 17.19 lakh, Alipurduar 11.64 lakh and Darjeeling 11.10 lakh. Uttar Dinajpur has 19.68 lakh voters, Dakshin Dinajpur 11.59 lakh, and Malda 27.91 lakh.

Among western districts, Bankura accounts for 29.19 lakh electors, Purulia 22.52 lakh and Jhargram 9.10 lakh. Paschim Bardhaman has 19.65 lakh voters, while Birbhum has 26.91 lakh.

Polling will be held in two phases —152 seats on 23 April and 142 seats on 29 April — with counting scheduled for 4 May.

An EC official said the rolls have been updated after revision and verification to ensure accuracy and inclusiveness, adding that arrangements are in place to enable smooth voter participation.

With PTI inputs