The first phase of the West Bengal Assembly Elections has seen a surge in voter participation, with the state recording a robust 62.18% voter turnout till 1:00 PM. Polling is currently underway across 152 constituencies spread across 16 districts, marking a high-stakes beginning to the battle for the 294-seat assembly.
​Key Highlights of Phase 1
​Total Constituencies: 152 seats (spanning North Bengal, Murshidabad, Nadia, and the Midnapore belt).
​Voter Turnout: 62.18% (as of 1:00 PM).
​Security: Over 2,400 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) deployed.
Major Contestants: 1,478 candidates are in the fray for this phase.
District-Wise Participation Trends
​Voters braved the heat to queue up outside polling stations as early as 7:00 AM. Initial reports suggest particularly high participation in the Jangalmahal and North Bengal regions.
Paschim Medinipur & Jhargram: High early turnout, maintaining the momentum from the morning hours.
​Murshidabad & Malda: Steady polling despite reports of minor technical glitches with EVMs in a few booths.
​North Bengal: Significant queues seen in Jalpaiguri and Siliguri, where local issues of identity and tea garden wages remain central.
