West Bengal Phase 2 voting LIVE: EVM glitch sparks chaos in Howrah; Mamata inspects booths in Bhabanipur

Trinamool Congress General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Wednesday cast his vote at Mitra Institute polling booth at Bhabanipur Assembly constituency. Expressing confidence in the TMC's victory, Abhishek Banerjee said that the BJP will be reduced to 50 seats.

Incidents of violence and vandalism were reported from parts of West Bengal during the early hours of voting in the second phase of the assembly elections on Wednesday, police said. The incidents were reported from multiple locations, including Chapra, Shantipur, Nimtala and Bhangar, they said.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday visited various booths in her Bhabanipur assembly constituency where polling is underway.The Bhabanipur assembly segment is Banerjee's political bastion, where she faces Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari in a prestige battle seen as a symbolic rematch of Nandigram, where he had defeated her in 2021.

TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee casts his vote at Mitra Institute in Bhawanipur. He displayed victory sign while posing for the media. Bhawanipur is witnessing a contest between Mamata Banerjee and Suvendu Adhikari.

LoP and BJP candidate from Bhabanipur and Nandigram, Suvendu Adhikari, offered prayers at a temple in Kolkata before voting. His is contesting against Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday urged voters to turn out in large numbers for the second and final phase of West Bengal Assembly polls.

BJP candidate from Kharagpur Sadar, Dilip Ghosh, said the party’s motive in West Bengal was not just to win an election but to bring a change in the lives of people. He also hailed the Election Commission for higher turnout in first phase.

Newly appointed India's High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi, cast his vote at the United Missionary Primary Teachers Training Institute polling station in Kolkata's Ballygunge, as polling for the second phase of West Bengal elections commenced on Wednesday.

The monks of the ISKCON chanted 'Hare Krishna' and sing 'Bhajans' as they head to cast their votes in the second and last phase of Assembly elections.

The first phase of the voting in West Bengal held on April 23 witnessed a record voter turnout of 93.19%. In today’s polling, the electoral prospects of 1,448 candidates will be decided, including 1,228 men and 220 women.

Mahua Moitra, Trinamool Congress MP, cast her vote at polling booth number 120 located at Karimpur Girls High School in Nadia. The voting is underway across 142 seats. 

BJP candidate from Bhatpara, Pawan Singh, cast his vote during the Phase 2 polling in West Bengal. He said the voting was peaceful and expressed hopes that the exercise will continue peacefully.

As Phase-2 of the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 is underway, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed to voters to turn out in large numbers and strengthen democratic participation.

The Phase 2 voting across 142 seats in West Bengal has begun. Long queues of people could be seen outside polling booths. 

An incident of violence has been reported in Nadia ahead of second phase voting in West Bengal, where a BJP polling agent has allegedly been attacked. 

Krishnanagar North, Krishnanagar South, Ranaghat North East (SC), Ranaghat North West, Ranaghat South (SC), Chakdaha, Kalyani (SC), Haringhata (SC), Chapra, Tehatta

Kalna (SC), Memari, Bardhaman Dakshin, Bardhaman Uttar (SC), Raina (SC), Jamalpur (SC), Monteswar, Katwa, Mangalkot

Uttarpara, Srirampur, Champdani, Chanditala, Jangipara, Haripal, Dhanekhali (SC), Tarakeswar, Pursurah, Arambagh (SC)

Shibpur, Howrah North, Howrah Central, Howrah South, Bally, Jagatballavpur, Domjur, Sankrail (SC), Uluberia North, Uluberia South

Sonarpur Dakshin, Canning Purba, Bhangar, Jadavpur, Baruipur Paschim, Baruipur Purba, Magrahat East, Magrahat West, Diamond Harbour, Falta, Satgachia, Bishnupur (SC), Gosaba (ST)

Dum Dum, Dum Dum Uttar, Bidhannagar, Rajarhat Gopalpur, Baranagar, Panihati, Noapara, Kamarhati, Khardaha, Barrackpore, Amdanga, Habra, Ashoknagar, Bangaon North, Bangaon South

Bhabanipur, Tollyganj, Rashbehari, Kolkata Port, Maniktala, Entally, Beleghata, Chowrangee, Jorasanko, Shyampukur, Kashipur-Belgachhia

Extensive security measures have been deployed during the second phase of voting in West Bengal. Paramilitary forces have been stationed across all areas, with 2,343 companies of central forces deployed. Additionally, 142 general observers, 95 police observers, and 100 expenditure observers are on duty. Kolkata has the highest deployment with 274 central force companies, and polling booths are being monitored using drones.

Before the final round of voting in West Bengal, the Election Commission has taken strict action by removing the Additional District Magistrates (ADMs) of South 24 Parganas and Birbhum. ADM Bhaskar Pal and ADM Souvik Bhattacharya have been relieved of all election-related duties.

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari said he would defeat Mamata Banerjee in her bastion Bhabanipur. He also said the BJP will form a full majority government in West Bengal.

The Bhabanipur constituency in West Bengal has emerged as one of the most closely watched seats in the second phase of voting. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is contesting from this seat, making it crucial for her party, the Trinamool Congress, to retain control and uphold her political stature. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party has fielded senior leader Suvendu Adhikari, aiming to secure a major political victory by defeating one of the state’s most influential leaders.

Mock polling was conducted in several booths of West Bengal. The voting will begin at 7 am across 142 seats in Phase 2.