West Bengal Elections 2026 LIVE: State registers 62.18% voting as of 1 p.m., clashes in Murshidabad

An wandering elephant named ‘Ramlal’ briefly drew attention at a polling site during the first phase of voting.

Prime Minister Modi addressed an election rally in Krishnanagar, claiming this was the first such election in five decades with violence negligible and congratulating the Election Commission for holding violence-free elections.

Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar cast his vote at a polling station in Balurghat, describing the process as peaceful and urging greater participation; he also suggested heightened vigilance in places like Murshidabad.

The Congress filed a complaint with the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer alleging that polling agents were forcibly removed by Trinamool Congress workers in Bharatpur Assembly Constituency, with polling reportedly conducted in the absence of Congress agents.

CPI(M) West Bengal Secretary Md Salim said the first phase polling was largely peaceful but blamed the Election Commission for sporadic incidents, calling for greater alertness from poll authorities and observers.

The Election Commission of India sought reports from trouble-hit pockets as sporadic incidents of violence and assaults on candidates were reported during polling.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the people of West Bengal for their massive turnout in the first phase and called the figures indicative of an 'overwhelming mandate for change', noting that violence had been kept to a minimum and that decisive victories often follow high turnout.

Turnout in other districts: Malda 58.45%, Cooch Behar 60.75%, Alipurduar 60.03%.

District-wise turnout data shown: Paschim Medinipur 65.77%, Jhargram 65.31%, Bankura 64%.

Voters queued up in large numbers outside polling booths from morning, with turnout picking up pace as hours progressed amid hot and humid conditions.

Polling in 16 districts began at 7 a.m. on Thursday, April 23, 2026, for 152 constituencies in the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections.

West Bengal recorded a brisk polling pace with over 62% turnout of 3.60 crore electors in the first phase of the Assembly elections, with the figure updated up to 1 p.m. across 152 constituencies.

Subhendu Sarkar claimed that polling agents in 8-10 polling stations were forcibly removed and that, at Booth No. 24, his team was attacked while he assessed the situation on the ground. He said Central Forces were present inside the polling station but were not with him at the scene.

BJP candidate Agnimitra Paul’s car was pelted with stones and its rear windowpanes were shattered near Rahmat Nagar in her Asansol Dakshin Assembly constituency. She said the attack was an attempt to influence the election. A complaint was lodged with poll authorities, and police said they were probing the incident with security tightened in the area.