Voters in West Bengal cast ballots across 142 constituencies [5] on April 29 for the second phase of the 2026 Assembly elections.

This election represents a critical power struggle between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The results will determine the leadership of the state and reflect the current political alignment of the region.

Overall voter turnout reached nearly 90% [1] by 5 p.m. In the high-profile Bhabanipur constituency in Kolkata, turnout was reported between 85.51% [2] and 86% [3]. This specific seat is a focal point of the election as it features a direct contest between TMC chief Mamata Banerjee and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari.

To maintain order and prevent clashes at polling stations, the Election Commission of India deployed over 350,000 security personnel [4]. These forces were stationed across various districts, including Nadia and Hooghly, to ensure the voting process remained secure.

Despite the heavy security presence, reports indicated clashes at some polling stations throughout the day. The commission said it has planned to keep nearly 70,000 security personnel [7] in the region after the polls conclude to prevent post-election violence.

This phase follows a first-phase voter turnout of 93.19% [6], indicating a high level of civic engagement across the state. The mobilization of voters in both the urban centers of Kolkata and the rural districts suggests a polarized and highly motivated electorate.

“Overall voter turnout reached nearly 90% by 5 p.m.”

The exceptionally high voter turnout in Phase 2, coupled with the massive security deployment, underscores the volatility and intensity of the political rivalry in West Bengal. The direct confrontation between Banerjee and Adhikari in Bhabanipur serves as a proxy for the broader struggle for state dominance, while the decision to retain 70,000 security personnel suggests the government anticipates significant instability following the results.