Kolkata: West Bengal witnessed an unprecedented surge in voter turnout in Phase II of the Assembly elections, with 22 constituencies recording polling above 95 per cent and the combined turnout for the first two phases reaching a record 92.93 per cent.
Minakhan in North 24-Parganas topped the list with 97.77 per cent polling, followed closely by Canning East (97.70 per cent) in South 24 Parganas and Haroa (97.34 per cent) in North 24 Parganas.
According to the Election Commission of India, around 34 lakh more voters cast their votes in the 2026 elections compared to the previous Assembly polls. In 2021, 5.98 crore electors had voted, which rose to 6.31 crore this time.
The 142 constituencies that went to polls in the second phase registered a turnout of 92.67 per cent, nearly 13 percentage points higher than the 80.4 per cent recorded in these seats in 2021.
Data from the poll body showed that North 24 Parganas accounted for 11 of the 22 constituencies with turnout above 95 per cent, while South 24 Parganas had nine. Uluberia South in Howrah and Ausgram in East Burdwan were the other two constituencies crossing the 95 per cent mark.
Other high-turnout constituencies in North 24-Parganas included Deganga (96.85 per cent), Amdanga (96.03 per cent), Ashoknagar (95.01 per cent), Baduria (95.66 per cent), Basirhat South (95.44 per cent), Basirhat North (96.62 per cent), Hingalganj (95.41 per cent), Sandeshkhali (95.89 per cent) and Swarupnagar (95 per cent).
In South 24-Parganas, Bhangar (96.78 per cent), Canning West (96.43 per cent), Basanti (95.73 per cent), Raidighi (95.70 per cent), Mandirbazar (95.47 per cent), Kulpi (95.42 per cent), Kultali (95.99 per cent) and Kakdwip (95.13 per cent) also recorded polling above 95 per cent.
In Kolkata, the four constituencies under Kolkata South recorded an overall turnout of 87.84 per cent, while the seven seats under Kolkata North clocked 89.36 per cent. Entally registered the highest turnout at 92.01 per cent, followed by Beleghata (90.81 per cent) and Maniktala (90.28 per cent). Bhowanipore recorded 86.74 per cent, Ballygunge 88.16 per cent, Kolkata Port 89.68 per cent and Rashbehari 86.58 per cent. In Kolkata North, Cossipore-Belgachia saw 89.01 per cent polling, Chowringhee 86.60 per cent, Jorasanko 86.72 per cent and Shyampukur 88.07 per cent.
Polling in the second phase was held across eight districts-Howrah, Hooghly, North and South 24 Parganas, Kolkata North and South, Nadia and East Burdwan-and witnessed strong participation in both urban and rural areas.
On average, Phase I saw an increase of 14,237 voters per seat, while Phase II recorded a rise of 6,615. The previous highest turnout in the state-84.33 per cent in 2011-has been comfortably surpassed, setting a new benchmark for Assembly elections. Notably, the 2011 polls, which recorded 84.33 per cent turnout, had marked the end of the 34-year Left Front rule in the state.