West Bengal Election 2026 highlights: 91.58% turnout in WB's phase 1, CEC hails ‘highest-ever polling percentage’

West Bengal Election 2026 LIVE: Trinamool MP and actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha said that he has come to fulfil his duty when he arrived to cast his vote in Bengal's Asansol.

"...Some call me 'Bengali Babu', some call me 'Bihari Babu', but in reality, I am a 'Hindustani Babu'... As a citizen, I have come here to fulfil my duty. I am now a voter of Asansol, and I have come here to vote... It felt very good to come here..." he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

West Bengal Election 2026 LIVE: Home minister Amit Shah visited BJP's party office in Kolkata amid first phase of voting.

West Bengal Election 2026 LIVE: In Dakshin Dinajpur's Kumarganj, BJP candidate Suvendu Sarkar was manhandled while on his way to a polling booth after reports of disturbances. Sarkar alleged that he was beaten up in the presence of the police and that his vehicle was vandalised. The TMC, however, alleged that Sarkar had tried to create unrest near a booth, leading to protests by locals. (PTI)

West Bengal Election 2026 LIVE: In a video shared by PTI, it can be seen that BJP candidate from South Dinajpur is being manhandled allegedly by TMC workers even as a security person tries to protect him.

West Bengal election 2026 LIVE: AJUP founder Humayun Kabir visited a polling booth today which triggered protests by TMC supporters who raised slogans and surrounded his vehicle, branding him a "BJP agent".

As the situation escalated, rival groups allegedly hurled stones and bricks, leading to a law and order situation. Several vehicles were vandalised in the clashes.

Kabir accused the ruling party of voter intimidation and electoral malpractice, alleging that TMC workers, "along with police", had been influencing voters through threats and inducements since the previous night.

"The election should be conducted peacefully, but outside the booths, people are being intimidated. The Election Commission should take strict action," he said. (PTI)

West Bengal election 2026 LIVE: TMC candidate from Sujapur constituency, Sabina Yasmin, alleges the Central Forces of disrupting polling. She said, "The Central Forces are creating problems in a lot of polling booths. Their work is to maintain law and order, but they are checking ID cards. Due to this, voting is going slowly. They think that if people remain standing under the Sun for long, they will return without voting. They intend that there should be less voting. We are filing a complaint." (ANI)

West Bengal election 2026 LIVE: BJP's Saumitra Khan raised a concern, saying that ink was smeared over the lotus symbol at a booth in Raghunathpur. CRPF admitted that it was the case and replied later that the ink was cleared and the polling resumed.

West Bengal election 2026 LIVE: West Bengal recorded a voter turn out of 62.18% till 1 pm on Thursday as first phase of polling will be on till 6 pm today.

West Bengal election 2026 LIVE: The CPI(M)'s West Bengal Secretary Mohammad Salim said the first phase polling in the state on Thursday largely has been peaceful as he blamed the Election Commission for the sporadic incidents of scuffle reported from some states.

Asked about the allegation that the BJP's Kumarganj candidate in Dakshin Dinajpur district was manhandled by Trinamool supporters, he said the poll panel and police observers should have been more alert.

"Polling so far has been overall peaceful, barring some violence in Birbhum and some parts of Murshidabad. All said and done, ECI's incapability is evident," Salim told PTI.

West Bengal election 2026 LIVE: Congress candidate from Berhampore Assembly constituency, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury flagged malfunctioned EVMs in many booths. ANI shared a video in which he can be seen speaking with a election commission official on phone, telling him that voters are going back after waiting for long hours under the sun.

"The EVM at booth 141 has been malfunctioning. As a result of this, the common voters who are standing under the Sun have to go back home. It depends on you how this situation can be tackled. It has been alleged by the Presiding Officer that they have been left in a helpless situation. Right now, your intervention is imperative. The EVM here has been changed for the fourth time, and even the changed EVM is also non-functional."

West Bengal election 2026 LIVE: BJP candidate from Kharagpur Sadar Assembly constituency, Dilip Ghosh, says, "...The thing is that in the two-and-a-half-hour voting that took place, Pradeep Sarkar got a whiff that they have already lost... These people (TMC) have fought with SIR, the Election Commission, central forces, the Supreme Court, and now they are fighting over party flags and banners... These people have lost the entire battle. There is a BJP wave everywhere." (ANI)

West Bengal election 2026 LIVE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says there is so much anger in people in Bengal against TMC that they might not even open account in many cities. “...Anger is so much against TMC MLAs, ministers, local leaders and their syndicate that TMC won't be able to open its account in many cities,” said Modi.

He added: "15 years ago, the people sounded the battle cry against the Left. Today, in opposition to the TMC's 'Jungle Raj', the people of Bengal are blowing the 'Shankh' (conch) in every street and neighbourhood... We are not the ones fighting this election; this time, the election in Bengal is being fought by the people themselves..."

West Bengal election 2026 LIVE: Speaking at a rally in West Bengal's Nadia, PM Modi said that he ate "jhalmuri" during the election campaign, but the Trinamool Congress felt the "jhal".

"We have observed in the past that wherever the country has witnessed a massive voter turnout, the BJP has achieved a resounding victory... On May 4th, the victory celebrations for the BJP will take place in Bengal as well. Sweets will be distributed, and 'Jhal Muri' will be handed out too," he said.

"Incidentally, I have heard that 'Jhal Muri' has already delivered a stunning shock to certain people... 'Jhal Muri maine khaayi lekin jhal TMC ko lagi hai'," he added.

West Bengal election 2026: Voters at polling booth number 141 in Khowar school, Gorabazaar, in Murshidabad, complained of EVM malfunction amid voting for the first phase of West Bengal assembly elections.

West Bengal election 2026 LIVE: BJP candidate from Kumarganj, Subhendu Sarkar, claimed that he was injured and his car was vandalised by TMC workers, who attacked him in his own assembly constituency during the polling on Thursday.

West Bengal election 2026 LIVE: Subhendu Sarkar, BJP candidate from Kumarganj, claimed that the party's polling agents were "forcibly removed" from 8-10 polling stations.

"I personally intervened and ensured they were allowed back inside. When I visited Booth No. 24 to inspect the situation on the ground, they launched an attack on my entire team and me; they were clearly intent on creating an atmosphere of intimidation and fear," he told news agency ANI.

"Central Forces were present at the polling station itself—they were inside the premises. But when I arrived on the scene, I was accompanied only by my bodyguard; there was no one else with us... Mamata Banerjee has lost the election, and Trinamool Congress are losing all four seats in this region. Out of sheer desperation and fear, they launched an attack on us," Sarkar added.

West Bengal election 2026 LIVE: “This is the first election of its kind in the last 50 years in which violence has been kept to an absolute minimum. Previously, it was common practice to hang someone every week and simply claim it was a suicide. In many respects, a regime of lawlessness and hooliganism prevailed. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Election Commission; they have once again restored the dignity of democracy on the soil of Bengal... I also commend the government employees here... Based on the information I have received so far, voter turnout is shattering all previous records,” says PM Modi in Nadia of West Bengal.

West Bengal election 2026 LIVE: After reports of blast, violence emerged from Nowda and Murshidabad and workers of TMC and AUJP clashed with each other, Humayun Kabir says that TMC is a party of thieves…and people of Nowda are going to reject them when the results are out.

West Bengal election 2026 LIVE: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has remained quiet strangely so far, with no media byte or post on X coming from her even as polling continues in the state amid reports of violence in Murshidabad.

West Bengal election 2026 LIVE: Humayun Kabir was greeted with protests by TMC supporters, who raised "go back" slogans and surrounded his vehicle, branding him a "BJP agent".

The situation turned tense, with heated exchanges taking place between the two sides near the polling station.

The AJUP leader later staged a sit-in at the spot and accused the ruling party of intimidating voters and being involved in electoral malpractices.

Kabir also alleged that the TMC had bribed several of his party candidates to keep them out of the poll fray, a charge the ruling party did not immediately respond to. (PTI)

West Bengal election 2026 LIVE: Central forces step in as TMC workers allegedly block road near polling booths in Cooch Behar

West Bengal election 2026 LIVE: West Bengal recorded brisk polling on Thursday with over 41 per cent of the 3.60 crore electors in the first phase of the Assembly elections exercising their franchise till 11 am amid sporadic incidents of scuffle reported from some places.

District-wise data showed Paschim Medinipur leading in voter turnout with 44.69 per cent, followed by Jhargram 43.71 per cent, Bankura 43.22 per cent and Purba Medinipur 42.16 per cent.

West Bengal election 2026 LIVE: In the video shared by news agency PTI, TMC and AUP workers are shown throwing stones at each other with security forces trying to control the situation.

West Bengal election 2026 LIVE: BJP candidate from Nandigram & Bhabanipur, Suvendu Adhikari says, "When I was coming here, a married Hindu woman came to me and started crying. She told me to protect Hindus. She said that if Mamata comes to power, they will be finished off like Murshidabad. Secondly, I asked a 65-70 year old woman if she is going to vote. She said that she is going to teach didi a lesson. People, especially Sanatani and tribal women, will teach them a lesson. They will wipe out Mamata. The night before election in Bengal are dangerous. But barring sporadic incidents in Jhargram, West Midnapore, they were not able to do much. We ghearoed the Police Station and Dr Pranat Tudu, a doctor who resigned and became BJP candidate, staged a dharna and freed 10 people who were arrested..." (ANI)

West Bengal election 2026 LIVE: As soon as Humayun Kabir visited Nowda in Murshidabad district, a scuffle broke out between TMC workers and AUJP leader. Earlier reports suggested that the scuffle was between TMC workers and the police but a new video from PTI clearly shows Kabir and workers clashing.