Record-Breaking Voter Turnout Marks First Phase of West Bengal Elections

The first phase of the West Bengal assembly elections saw a record 93.19% voter turnout. Conducted across 152 assembly segments in 16 districts, the previous highest was 84.72%. With 3.36 crore voters participating, the event marked heightened electoral engagement, setting a new precedent in the state's political landscape.

The West Bengal assembly elections kicked off with an unprecedented voter turnout of 93.19% in the first phase, according to the Election Commission. Held on April 23, across 152 assembly segments in 16 districts, the event saw 3.36 crore out of the total 3.61 crore voters exercising their democratic rights.

A breakdown of the turnout reveals Cooch Behar leading with 96.2%, closely followed by Dakshin Dinajpur and Malda. The engagement far surpassed the previous record of 84.72% set during the 2011 elections, a pivotal moment that witnessed the TMC taking power from the CPI(M)-led Left Front.

The high participation is notable especially amidst the contentious Special Intensive Revision of the electoral rolls where over 90 lakh names were removed. The second phase is set for April 29, covering 142 seats across seven districts, as the state gears up for another round of voting.