Ananya Lohia , Kolkata - It’s a crucial day in West Bengal as voting for Phase 1 of the 2026 Assembly Elections is now underway, and the state is witnessing a high-stakes political battle right from the early hours. Voters have started lining up outside polling booths since morning, with initial trends showing a steady and encouraging turnout across key constituencies. According to initial figures released by the Election Commission of India, the state has recorded 18.76% voter turnout within the first two hours of polling. However, the election process has already seen disruptions, with reports of violence and technical issues emerging from certain areas. In Murshidabad, tensions escalated after crude bombs were reportedly hurled in the Nowda area, leaving several people injured. Security has since been intensified, even as polling continues across the state.

Sporadic incidents have affected polling in a few pockets. In Nowda, Murshidabad, crude bombs were allegedly hurled, causing injuries and panic before security forces brought the situation under control. At the same time, EVM glitches were reported at some polling booths, briefly disrupting voting until officials replaced the machines. Earlier, Suvendu Adhikari, BJP's candidate from Nandigram & Bhabanipur, cast his vote from Nandigram and said that there is no chance of Mamata Banerjee winning the elections if dead and fake voter have been eliminated from the rolls. He made sure to have a peaceful elections in the state, polling should be held peacefully,” Adhikari told reporters. The polling time for the first phase of Bengal polls is from 7 am today till 6 pm. The political temperature in Bengal simmered up during the last 48 hours of campaigning as both the Trinamool and the BJP took out rallies and launched attacks at each other. Over 3.22 crore voters are eligible to cast their votes today in West Bengal.

Despite early incidents of violence and technical glitches, polling in West Bengal remains underway with steady voter participation. Authorities have maintained that the situation is under control and that all measures are in place to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful election process as the day progresses. While Phase 1 is being held on April 23, Phase 2 is scheduled for April 29, with results set to be announced on May 4.