West Bengal Phase 1 polling begins across 152 constituencies in 16 districts

New Delhi, Apr 23, 2026 : Voting has begun for 152 constituencies across 16 districts of West Bengal from 7 in the morning today. Since early morning, long queues of voters have been seen outside polling booths.

To ensure the smooth conduct of this first phase of the election, a massive security arrangement is in place. A total of 2,407 companies of the central forces have been deployed. Murshidabad, with its two police districts, has the highest concentration, with 316 companies stationed. East Midnapore follows with 273 companies.

In all, nearly half a million personnel from the central forces and state police are engaged in managing the polling process.

This phase also sees 1,478 candidates contesting, including 167 women. The highest number of candidates, 15 each, are in Cooch Behar South, Karandighi, and Itahar. Chandrakona has the lowest, with just five candidates in the fray.