Strong Start in West Bengal Phase 1 Polling, 60% Turnout by 1 PM
Apr 23, 2026
The first phase of polling in West Bengal recorded an impressive voter turnout of around 60% by 1 PM on Thursday, reflecting high public participation in the ongoing elections. Long queues were seen at polling stations across the state from early morning, particularly in rural areas where voting progressed at a brisk pace.
Urban centres initially reported slower turnout, but participation began to increase steadily as the day advanced. Election officials attributed the encouraging numbers to extensive voter awareness campaigns and robust security arrangements put in place to ensure smooth and fair polling.
A few isolated incidents of unrest were reported from parts of Murshidabad, Cooch Behar, and Birbhum districts, where minor clashes broke out between rival groups. However, security forces responded promptly, bringing the situation under control and allowing voting to resume without major disruption.
This phase covers several key constituencies with closely contested races. Political observers believe that the outcome of this round will play a significant role in setting the tone for the rest of the election.
