The second phase of polling was largely peaceful, with 1,448 candidates contesting 142 assembly constituencies spread across seven districts. Voting proceeded under close administrative supervision, reflecting the scale and significance of the electoral exercise in the state.
In the first phase of the assembly elections, West Bengal recorded a voter turnout of 92.25 percent, following widespread voter deletions linked to a month-long Special Intensive Revision exercise. The development had already drawn attention to the evolving electoral dynamics in the region.
The Bharatiya Janata Party is seeking to expand its political presence in West Bengal, a state it has never governed, as it faces a closely contested battle against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress. The political rivalry continues to shape the state’s electoral landscape, with both parties mobilising significant support on the ground.
Election authorities have stated that repolling may be ordered in booths where Electronic Voting Machines are found to have been tampered with, subject to verification through reports submitted by district election officers or observers. This provision is intended to ensure electoral integrity and transparency.
Voting was temporarily suspended at several booths in Falta, located in the Diamond Harbour region, after the Bharatiya Janata Party alleged that Electronic Voting Machines had been tampered with by the ruling Trinamool Congress. The allegations were firmly denied by the Trinamool Congress, escalating tensions at the local level during polling operations.
Officials also reported isolated incidents of violence from different parts of the state, adding to concerns over sporadic disruptions despite the overall largely peaceful conduct of the second phase of voting.
The ongoing elections in West Bengal continue to draw national attention due to the high voter turnout, intense political competition, and allegations surrounding polling irregularities, all of which underscore the significance of the electoral process in the state’s political trajectory.
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