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LIVE Blog
West Bengal Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: Voting for the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly election has begun across 152 seats in 16 districts. Long queues of voters were seen at polling stations from early morning. Approximately 36 million voters will decide the fate of 1,452 candidates. This phase sees polling in key areas of North and South Bengal, considered highly significant from an electoral perspective. The Election Commission has deployed a record 2,450 companies of central paramilitary forces to ensure peaceful voting. About 250,000 personnel are monitoring sensitive and highly sensitive booths. Strict security and webcasting arrangements have been made at every polling station.
This election is being held after a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list, which has reduced the number of voters in the state by about 12%. This change has also impacted electoral equations. The first phase is seen as a direct contest between the ruling TMC and the BJP. In the 2021 election for these 152 seats, the BJP won 59 and the TMC won 93. This time, maintaining its hold in North Bengal is a major challenge for the TMC, while the BJP is trying to strengthen its lead there. Currently, the entire country’s attention is focused on the first phase of voting.
07:03 AM
Bengal Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: Long queues at polling stations in Siliguri for West Bengal elections
| West Bengal Elections 2026 | People queue up outside a polling station in Siliguri as they await their turn to cast a vote.
07:01 AM
Bengal Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: Special focus on sensitive districts, tight security arrangements
In the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly election, several districts have been placed in a specially sensitive category. The Election Commission has directed extra vigilance in districts such as Malda, Murshidabad, Uttar Dinajpur, Cooch Behar, Birbhum, and Bardhaman. All assembly constituencies in these areas are being closely monitored to prevent any disturbances or violence. To strengthen security, a large number of central armed police forces have been deployed. Additionally, along with surveillance teams, 2,193 Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) are active, ready to respond immediately to any emergency or incident.
06:58 AM
Bengal Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: Tight security on voting day in West Bengal, 250,000 personnel deployed
Unprecedented security arrangements have been made for the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly election 2026. The Election Commission has deployed a record 2,450 companies of central paramilitary forces across the state, including about 250,000 security personnel. These forces are actively stationed in every part of the state to ensure the voting process is conducted peacefully and fairly. The Election Commission has declared over 8,000 polling stations as highly sensitive for the first phase. Additional security forces have been deployed at these booths, and close monitoring is in place to immediately prevent any disturbances or violence.
06:56 AM
Bengal Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: Over 36 million voters to cast ballots in the first phase
A large number of voters will exercise their franchise in the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly election 2026. According to the Election Commission, over 36 million voters are eligible to vote in this phase. This includes about 18.4 million male voters, 17.5 million female voters, and 465 third-gender voters. The Election Commission has appealed to all voters to actively participate in the democratic process and ensure peaceful voting.
06:52 AM
Bengal Assembly Election 2026 Live Updates: Voting today on 152 seats in the first phase of West Bengal
Under the West Bengal Assembly election 2026, the first phase of voting is taking place today. Voting will start at 7 AM and continue until 5 PM. In this phase, voters will
