Polling is being conducted in multiple phases, with key voting days including April 23 and April 29, 2026. The Election Commission has clarified that exit polls can only be published after 30 minutes of the final phase of voting ends. Violators of this ban may face severe penalties, including up to two years of imprisonment or fines under election laws.

During the first phase of elections, West Bengal recorded a voter turnout of 91.91%. Some districts saw even higher participation; Dakshin Dinajpur reported a remarkable turnout of 94.85%. Cooch Behar and Birbhum followed closely with turnouts of 94.54% and 93.70%, respectively.

Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) aim for a fourth consecutive term in office. Yet, they face strong competition from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The political atmosphere is tense as both parties prepare for the remaining polling days.

The Election Commission has issued advisories to media platforms and broadcasters regarding the ban on exit polls for this election cycle. This includes not only West Bengal but also Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and by-elections to eight Assembly constituencies.

As voters head to the polls, many are keenly aware of the implications of this ban. It seeks to mitigate undue influence on voter decisions by preventing premature speculation about election outcomes.

The current state of affairs reflects a commitment to uphold democratic processes amidst high engagement from the electorate. The focus remains on ensuring that every vote counts without external pressures affecting voter choices.

With polling for the remaining 142 seats scheduled for April 29, all eyes will be on how these elections unfold in West Bengal. The stakes are high as parties vie for power in one of India’s most politically significant states.

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