Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said that Bengal’s record voter percentage of 92.7 per cent in the first phase on Thursday reflects that people have opted for “development” under Prime Minister Narendra
Modi, waving goodbye to West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee. What do the numbers for Bengal say? What did the EC say? Was this India’s highest ever voter turnout? News18 explains.
What Amit Shah, CEC said
“The voter turnoutpercentage that has emerged is heartening for all those who believe in the democracy of the entire country. I want to congratulate and thank all the voters of Bengal who cast their votes in the first phase that you have started the journey from fear to trust very well, and the voters of the second phase will also carry forward the journey from fear to trust. The voters have chosen development under PM Modi. This refelct that Mamata Didi’s time is over.” he said.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Thursday said the voter turnoutwas the state’s highest-ever percentage since Independence.
The EC on Thursday evening said Tamil Nadu (84.69%) and West Bengal (Phase-I) (91.78%) recorded highest-ever poll participation since Independence. The numbers are subject to revision.
Some districts saw even higher participation:
Dakshin Dinajpur: 95.22%
Cooch Behar: 95.17%
Birbhum: 94.19%
The polling for the second phase will be held on April 29, with counting of votes scheduled for May 4.
In Thursday’s polling, women voters outnumbered men in participation, with the female turnout touching 92.69 per cent against 90.92 per cent by male electors. The turnout of third-gender voters stood at 56.79 per cent.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) noted that the 2026 surge in West Bengal followed a “special intensive revision” of electoral rolls that removed roughly 12% of the electorate, including deceased or bogus voters, which likely contributed to the significantly higher percentage of active participation
General Elections to Legislative Assemblies and bye-elections 2026#TamilNadu (84.69%) and #WestBengal (Phase-I) (91.78%) record highest-ever poll participation since Independence
Read more : https://t.co/VTBMzHvamP pic.twitter.com/jYGAbAvgRu
— Election Commission of India (@ECISVEEP) April 23, 2026
Was it the first time? The times when states crossed 80-90% mark
The times when state saw higher voter turnouts:
Tripura (2023): The northeastern state recorded the highest ever voter turnout of 93.6% in the 2013 assembly elections. It frequently records high turnouts, often hovering around 88-89%. If West Bengal maintains this momentum, it could displace Tripura from number one position, say experts.
Puducherry (2026): Recorded 89.87% earlier in April 2026, very nearly touching the 90% mark.
Nagaland (2023): Historically one of the highest participations, it recorded 87% in the 2023 Assembly elections.
Assam (2026): Reached a record high of 85.91% in April 2026 elections.
Is Bengal’s turnout India’s highest ever?
West Bengal recorded 91-93% voter turnoutin Phase 1 of the 2026 Assembly polls. Multiple districts crossed 90-95%, pushing the average very high. The election commission described it as “highest ever for West Bengal since Independence”.
While the number is among the highest ever recorded in India, it can’t be called India’s all-time highest.
Why?
It is a phase-wise figure, not a final full-election average. India’s “highest ever” comparisons are usually based on entire state/UT final turnout, not one phase.
KEY FAQs
Was Bengal’s phase voter turnout India’s highest ever?
No. West Bengal Phase 1 voter turnout(90%+) is among the highest—but not the all-time national record.
Why the confusion?
Because this is a phase-wise figure, not a final full-state turnout—the benchmark used for “highest ever.”
What do official records show?
Election Commission data shows statewide final turnoutrarely crosses ~90%, with most peaks in the high-80s range.
With agency, ANI inputs
