West Bengal holds voting in second phase across 142 constituencies

Voting is underway on Wednesday (April 29) in the second phase of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections, covering 142 constituencies across seven districts of India’s eastern state.

The outcome of this phase is crucial for several high-profile leaders, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari. Several senior ministers and prominent figures are also in the electoral contest, including Dr. Shashi Panja, Firhad Hakim, and Arup Biswas from the Trinamool Congress.

The 294-seat assembly election will see its final results announced from May 4 afternoon onwards.

According to the Election Commission of India, more than 322 million voters are eligible to cast their ballots in this phase. Special arrangements have been made for 3,243 voters aged above 100 years, with authorities collecting their votes from home.

The first phase of polling on April 23 covered 152 constituencies and recorded a voter turnout of over 93 per cent. The Election Commission expects similarly high participation in the second phase.

The high voter turnout has triggered contrasting political claims. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) says the turnout reflects strong anti-incumbency sentiment and predicts a shift in power. The Trinamool Congress (TMC), however, argues that the turnout is a response to alleged voter list irregularities and administrative inconvenience, claiming the BJP may not win more than 40–45 seats.

Amid the electoral process, controversy continues over the voter list. More than 2.7 million names were reportedly removed earlier, with the issue referred to a tribunal. While 139 voters were restored in the first phase, an additional supplementary list issued on Tuesday reinstated 1,468 voters, allowing them to vote in today’s polling.

This phase of voting is widely seen as decisive in shaping the next government in West Bengal.