West Bengal Phase 2 Polling Underway Amid High Stakes Battle

Kolkata, April 29 (TNA) The second and final phase of voting in the West Bengal Assembly elections commenced across 142 constituencies, covering key districts in South and Central Bengal, as part of the state’s 294-seat legislative polls on Wednesday.

Polling stations opened at 7 AM and will continue until 6 PM, with over 350,000 security personnel deployed statewide to ensure a peaceful process following the record over 90% turnout in Phase 1 on April 23. By 11 AM, voter turnout stood at 39.97%, with women and first-time voters showing strong participation, though reports indicate steady queues amid tight security in sensitive areas.

The Election Commission has emphasized free and fair voting, with live updates tracking progress; votes from both phases will be counted on May 4. Political tensions run high between the ruling Trinamool Congress, BJP-led NDA, and Left-Congress alliances, with key battles in urban hubs like Kolkata and Howrah drawing national attention. No major disruptions have been reported yet as of 1:23 PM IST, but authorities remain vigilant.