West Bengal Assembly elections took place in two phases on April 23 and April 29, 2026. The counting of votes for 293 Assembly seats is scheduled for May 4, 2026. Over a month of campaigning has led to this critical point.

The Election Commission of India appointed 165 additional counting observers and 77 police observers for the counting process. This measure aims to ensure transparency and fairness during the vote tallying.

Voter turnout was impressive, with 92.8% in the first phase and 91.47% in the second phase, marking the highest participation since Independence. Both camps claim this record turnout as a mandate in their favor.

However, around 91 lakh voters—approximately 12% of the electorate—were removed from the rolls ahead of the election due to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). This has raised concerns about electoral integrity.

Mamata Banerjee seeks to maintain her leadership amid challenges from Suvendu Adhikari and other candidates. The magic number to secure a majority in the 294-member Assembly is 148.

Repolling for the Falta Assembly seat is scheduled for May 21, 2026, due to electoral malpractices reported during the initial voting phases.

The CPI(M) and Congress hope to reclaim a foothold in West Bengal after five years of decline following their defeat in the 2021 polls. The implications of this election extend beyond state politics into national dynamics.

As May 4 approaches, officials have not confirmed any final results yet. The shadow over this election remains significant, with concerns about electoral rolls still looming large.

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