The high-stakes second and final phase of the West Bengal assembly elections 2026 concluded on Wednesday, with all attention now turning to exit poll projections expected after 6:30 PM on Thursday, in line with Election Commission regulations.
Phase 2 Voting and Political Activity
Voting in Phase 2 covered the remaining constituencies of the 294-seat Assembly, witnessing intense political activity across districts. Both the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) made last-minute appeals to voters in a closely watched contest.
According to Election Commission guidelines, exit polls are strictly prohibited until 30 minutes after polling ends in the final phase. The ECI will allow 2026 exit poll results after 6:30 PM on April 29.
Record Turnout in Phase 1
In West Bengal, voting was held in 152 constituencies on April 23 during the first phase, registering a record turnout of nearly 93% in several regions. This high participation has heightened anticipation for the final results.
Voter Turnout Across States
- West Bengal: Historic 93.2% turnout in Phase 1.
- Tamil Nadu: Final provisional figure of 85.1% after a marginal revision.
- Assam: Historic 85.5% turnout for all 126 seats.
- Kerala: Approximately 75%–78% turnout across 140 constituencies.
- Puducherry: Unprecedented 89.87% turnout, the highest since its merger with India in 1964.
The final counting of votes across all poll-bound states will take place on May 4.
Elections 2026 mark a pivotal year for democratic processes across various regions in India and globally, including key state assembly elections, local body polls, and by-elections that could significantly impact national-level politics.
