Kolkata (Rajeev Sharma): Voting for the opening phase of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections began on Thursday morning, covering 152 constituencies across diverse regions of the state. The polling process commenced at 7 am with a steady turnout reported in several districts.
From the northern hills of Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri to the plains of Murshidabad, Nadia, Birbhum, and Hooghly, voters were seen queuing outside polling booths from early hours, indicating strong participation.
The first phase is being closely watched as it covers more than half of the total 294 seats and is expected to influence the momentum of the overall election. The ruling All India Trinamool Congress is seeking to maintain its hold on power, while the Bharatiya Janata Party aims to gain a foothold in key regions.
As per data from the Election Commission of India, over 3.6 crore voters are eligible to participate in this phase, reflecting a large and diverse electorate.
To ensure smooth conduct of polling, authorities have deployed a massive security apparatus. Thousands of central armed police personnel have been stationed across the state, particularly in sensitive areas. More than 8,000 polling stations have been categorized as vulnerable and placed under strict watch.
Regions such as Malda, Cooch Behar, Uttar Dinajpur, and Purba Bardhaman are being closely monitored, with additional surveillance teams and rapid response units deployed to prevent any disruption.
Election officials stated that polling was progressing in an orderly manner, with arrangements in place to address any emergencies and ensure voters can exercise their franchise without fear.
