Bengal Election 2026: 260 complaints filed till 11 am, half as compared to 2024

West Bengal witnessed a robust start to the first phase of the 2026 Assembly elections, with the state recording an impressive 41.11% voter turnout by 11 AM. From the early hours, polling stations across the affected constituencies saw long queues as citizens arrived to cast their votes.

While the majority of areas remained peaceful, isolated incidents of unrest were reported in pockets such as Murshidabad, prompting a swift response from authorities to ensure the integrity of the electoral process. Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal has been closely monitoring the polling status from the webcasting control center to address any irregularities in real-time.

By 11:13 AM, the CEO’s office had officially registered 260 complaints, while an additional 375 grievances were submitted through the dedicated mobile app. Issues reported included allegations of fake voting, obstruction of polling agents, and minor skirmishes, reflecting the high-stakes nature of this electoral contest.

Political experts suggest that despite the scattered reports of tension, the overwhelming presence of security personnel has successfully "cooled down" potential hotspots, allowing the democratic process to proceed largely without disruption. The number of complaints so far is half from the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.