Record voter turnout in West Bengal polls, Mamata calls it “positive sign”

West Bengal recorded an unusually high voter turnout in the first phase of its legislative assembly elections on Thursday (April 23), following controversy over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list.

According to the Election Commission’s data updated till 6pm, voting crossed 91.58 per cent across 152 constituencies, with nearly 90 per cent turnout reported by 5pm. Officials said the final figure could rise slightly as updates continue.

The high participation has been described as a “positive sign” by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who addressed an election rally in Chowringhee.

“Such a large turnout is encouraging. Many names were removed this time, so people did not take risks and came out to vote,” she said, adding that voters were influenced by concerns surrounding the SIR process.

Banerjee further claimed that people viewed the election as a “fight to protect their rights,” and warned that losing support for her party would impact livelihoods and freedoms.

Polling across most constituencies remained largely peaceful, barring isolated incidents of tension. However, clashes were reported in Murshidabad, where local political leader Humayun Kabir was involved in repeated confrontations, prompting intervention by central forces and police.

Both the Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party accused each other of sporadic violence and intimidation in several areas, including Nandigram and parts of Sainthia. The Trinamool Congress also alleged voter harassment by central security forces, though no official response was issued by the Election Commission or security agencies.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu also went to polls on the same day, recording an estimated turnout of 84.41 per cent.

The West Bengal elections will continue in phases, with the second round scheduled for April 29 across 142 seats. Counting of votes is set for May 4.