Fewer voters on paper, but more at the booths. That’s the paradox defining Phase 1 of the West Bengal assembly elections, where turnout surged by over 20 lakh votes across 152 seats despite a trimmed electoral
roll.
An analysis of Election Commission data reveals that in the first phase of the polls, across 152 seats, more than 20 lakh additional voters cast their votes compared to the 2021 assembly elections. In 2021, a total of 3.15 crore voters had voted across these 152 seats, whereas in 2026, the number rose to 3.35 crore voters. On average, this means that more than 13,000 additional voters cast their votes per seat in the first phase.
The analysis reveals that West Bengal not only witnessed record voting, but despite a decline in the total number of registered voters due to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, more people voted in the first phase compared to the previous election.
According to Election Commission data, the total number of voters in the 152 seats in the first phase in 2026 was 3.60 crore. Of these, about 92.88 per cent (approximately 93 per cent) voted, which comes to around 3.35 crore voters.
In contrast, during the 2021 assembly elections, the total number of voters in these 152 seats was 3.78 crore, and the turnout was 83.33 per cent, resulting in 3.15 crore votes cast.
The data clearly shows that in the first phase across 152 seats, over 20 lakh more voters cast their votes in 2026 compared to 2021.
On average, this translates to more than 13,000 additional votes per seat, although the actual number may vary from constituency to constituency.
When the SIR process began on October 27 last year, the total number of voters in these 152 seats was 3,98,14,801. After the revision, by April 23, 2026, the number declined to 3,60,77,304. This indicates a reduction of 37,37,497 voters following the SIR exercise.
The increase in voter turnout percentage can be attributed to two main reasons: first, the reduction in the total number of registered voters due to SIR, and second, a higher number of voters turning out to vote in 2026 compared to the previous election.
West Bengal recorded the highest-ever turnout in Phase 1 at 92.88 per cent. The second phase of polling will be held on April 29, and the votes will be counted on May 4.
