By Mukesh 
There was a record turnout of 92.65% in the second and final phase of polling for the West Bengal Assembly election on Wednesday (April 29, 2026), amidst isolated incidents of unrest and violence. This means the total turnout across two phases of polling in the State stands at nearly 93%, the highest rate of polling in any West Bengal Assembly election since Independence, according to the State’s Chief Electoral Officer.
In the second phase, polling was held in 142 Assembly seats spread across seven districts in south Bengal. The highest polling rates were recorded in the rural-dominated areas of Purba Bardhaman (93.39%), followed by the Hooghly (91.41%), South 24 Parganas (91.45%), North 24 Parganas (91.39 %), and Nadia (91.35%) districts.
The lowest turnout was in the Kolkata South administrative district, where 87.25% of voters exercised their franchise. The adjoining Kolkata North administrative district recorded an 88.91% turnout, while Howrah saw a turnout of 90.93%. The polling rate is expected to rise as the final figures are yet to be released by the Election Commission at the time of publication.
This is in tune with the record turnout in the first phase, where 93.19% of the electorate cast their votes in 152 seats on April 23. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said: “Highest ever percentage of polling in West Bengal in both Phase I & II since Independence – Chunav ka Parv, Paschim Bengal ka Garv.”