Election-related violence in West Bengal has resulted in numerous deaths across multiple voting cycles over the last decade [1, 2].

This persistent volatility highlights a systemic failure to secure the democratic process in the region. The recurring clashes between major political parties create an environment of fear that can suppress voter turnout and undermine the legitimacy of electoral outcomes.

The rivalry between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has frequently escalated into targeted killings. During the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, 15 people died due to violence [1]. This trend continued into the 2021 Assembly elections, which saw 17 deaths [1].

The violence reached a peak during the 2023 Panchayat elections, where 45 people died [1]. This figure represents the highest number of fatalities recorded in a single election cycle over the last 10 years [1].

More recent data shows a slight decrease in fatalities during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, with 10 deaths reported [1]. However, the violence has not ceased entirely following the conclusion of the polls. Three additional deaths have been reported in the post-2024 election period [2].

Recent disputes over these casualties continue to divide the political landscape. The TMC said two of its workers were killed [2], while the BJP said one of its workers was killed [2]. These conflicting reports reflect the ongoing tension between the two dominant parties in the state.

The pattern of violence spans local, state, and national elections, creating a cycle of instability that persists regardless of the level of government being contested [1, 2].

“West Bengal recorded 45 deaths in the 2023 Panchayat elections, the highest in the last decade.”

The data indicates that electoral violence in West Bengal is not tied to a single specific election but is a structural feature of the state's political competition. The spike in 2023 suggests that local-level governance, such as Panchayat elections, can be even more volatile than national contests. The continued reports of deaths after the 2024 polls suggest that the violence is often retaliatory rather than purely strategic to the voting day.