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The opening phase includes all 54 seats in north Bengal’s eight districts and several in Murshidabad, Nadia, Birbhum and Hooghly
Updated – April 23, 2026 07:07 am IST
Voting in first phase of West Bengal Assembly elections will take place across 44,376 polling stations on April 23, 2026. | Photo Credit: PTI
Also read | Of 90 lakh voters excluded by SIR in West Bengal, 63% are Hindus, 34% are Muslims
The high-stakes elections come after a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) which reduced the number of electorates in the State by almost 12%. A record 2,450 companies of Central paramilitary forces that comprise nearly 2.5 lakh personnel have been deployed by the Election Commission for the polls.
Also read | West Bengal elections: Trinamool involved in 64% of the poll violence in past decade
For the BJP, the first phase is virtually synonymous with north Bengal. It had had won 59 of the 152 seats in 2021 against the Trinamool Congress’ tally of 93. For the ruling TMC which is seeking a fourth consecutive term in power, preventing a BJP surge in the north is critical to shaping the political mood for the rest of the contest.
The second phase will be held on April 29, when 142 seats in and around Kolkata go to polls. The votes will be counted on May 4.
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- April 23, 2026 07:07
West Bengal elections a fight between Left and Right: CPI(M) State secretary
Describing the Trinamool Congress as a “sidekick” of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Communist Party of India (Marxist) State secretary Mohhamed Salim said the West Bengal Assembly polls would be a fight between the “Left and the Right”.He alleged that both the BJP and the Trinamool Congress had attempted to whip up communal passions during elections by raising several issues, including the construction of temples and mosques. The CPI(M) leader said, “Both parties have been forced to talk about jobs and employment in election campaigns, which is a success for the Left parties.”
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- April 23, 2026 06:35
West Bengal polls: Over 2,400 companies of Central paramilitary forces deployed
A record 2,450 companies of Central paramilitary forces that comprise nearly 2.5 lakh personnel have been deployed by the Election Commission for the polls.West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday (April 22, 2026) expressed surprise over the deployment of CRPF armoured vehicles for maintaining law and order during the Assembly polls, alleging that the BJP-led Centre has engaged all wings of the government to work in its favour.
“Around two lakh central force personnel have been brought into Bengal for the elections. This is unprecedented. Are they trying to intimidate me by deploying so many forces?” she asked.
West Bengal Assembly elections: ‘Are they trying to intimidate?’, Mamata on heavy central force deployment
Mamata Banerjee questions heavy central force deployment in West Bengal elections, alleging intimidation tactics by the BJP-led government.
- April 23, 2026 06:08
First phase of West Bengal Assembly election to be held today
West Bengal is set to go to polls in the crucial first phase of the Assembly elections on Thursday (April 23, 2206). About 3.60 crore voters will cast their ballot to determine the fate of 1,452 candidates.Voting will be held from 7 a.m. onwards for 152 Assembly seats spread across 16 districts, eight in north Bengal and eight in south Bengal.
Published – April 23, 2026 06:00 am IST
