Bengal Elections phase 1 sees historic 92.59% voter turnout, Cooch Behar leads with 95.69%

The first phase of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections concluded with a staggering 92.59% voter turnout, marking a historic day for the state's democracy. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar lauded the massive participation, emphasizing that such enthusiasm reflects the deep-rooted democratic spirit of the voters. Across the 16 districts involved, citizens turned out in droves to cast their ballots, setting a new benchmark for electoral engagement in the region.

The turnout remained consistently high across all regions, showcasing the dedication of the electorate. Cooch Behar recorded the highest participation at 95.69%, closely followed by South Dinajpur at 95.39% and Birbhum at 94.44%. Even in varying terrains, engagement remained significant, with Malda recording 94.21%, North Dinajpur 94.04%, and Murshidabad at 93.53%. Other regions, including Alipurduar (92.34%), West Medinipur (92.16%), Jhargram (92.11%), Bankura (91.96%), East Medinipur (90.97%), Purulia (90.65%), West Bardhaman (90.29%), Darjeeling (88.75%), and Kalimpong (83.06%), also contributed to this record-breaking aggregate.

With the first phase now behind them, the Election Commission has immediately shifted its focus to the second phase scheduled for next Wednesday. Officials are currently conducting a rigorous review of webcasting data from the 7,384 "highly sensitive" booths identified during the first phase. This analysis aims to tighten security protocols and address any logistical gaps, ensuring that the upcoming phase proceeds with the same peaceful and transparent conduct that defined the first day of voting.