High Voter Turnout than 2021 Assembly Election Marks a Crucial Phase in West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 Highest 97.53% in Sitalkuchi AC of Cooch Behar

KalimNews, Kalimpong, April 23, 2026 : The 2026 West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections have witnessed a remarkable surge in voter participation, reflecting strong democratic engagement across the state.

Kalimpong recorded an impressive polling percentage of 83.07% in 2026, a significant rise from 73.08% in the 2021 elections. In comparison, during the 2021 polls, Darjeeling registered 68.34% voter turnout, while Kurseong stood at 74.23%. The overall polling percentage for the state in 2021 was 82.3%.

In 2026, the turnout figures for key constituencies in the Darjeeling hills have shown notable improvement. Kalimpong maintained its strong performance at 83.07%, while Darjeeling recorded 82.16% and Kurseong reached 82.36%. Across 152 constituencies in the state, the total voter turnout (VTR) stood at an impressive 92.88%. The highest polling percentage in the first phase was recorded in Sitalkuchi Assembly Constituency of Cooch Behar district, with an outstanding 97.53% while Kurseong Assembly Constituency recorded a relatively lower turnout at 82.36%, though still reflecting strong participation overall. The polling percentage of Kalimpong AC in the 2016 WBLA election was 71.22. 

It is noteworthy that voter turnout in the Parliamentary elections was consistently lower than in the Legislative Assembly elections across all constituencies in the Darjeeling hills. In the 2024 Parliamentary elections, Darjeeling recorded a turnout of 66.45%, while Kurseong and Kalimpong registered 67.67% and 66.83% respectively. In contrast, the four plains constituencies under the Darjeeling Parliamentary seat—Siliguri, Chopra, Phansidewa, and Matigara-Naxalbari—collectively recorded a higher turnout of average 78.89%. This trend highlights comparatively lower electoral participation in the hills during Parliamentary polls despite strong engagement in Assembly elections. At that time, the highest turnout of 84.11% was in Phansidewa. 

Constituency	2021 Voter Turnout (%)	2026 Voter Turnout (%)	Change (%)
Kalimpong	73.08	83.07	+9.99
Darjeeling	68.34	82.16	+13.82
Kurseong	74.23	82.36	+8.13
Sitalkuchi	86.23	97.53	+11.30

  

West Bengal recorded brisk polling on April 23, with over 92.88% of the 3.60 crore electors in the first phase of the Assembly elections exercising their franchise amid sporadic incidents of violence, voter intimidation, and assault on a BJP candidate.

Polling in 16 districts began at 7 am on Thursday and will decide the electoral fate of 1,478 candidates, including 167 women, contesting across 152 constituencies in the 294-seat State Assembly.

Despite hot and humid weather conditions, voters turned out in large numbers from early morning, forming long queues outside polling booths. Participation steadily increased as the day progressed. According to the Election Commission, voter turnout was 18.76% in the first two hours, rising to 41.11% by 11 am and reaching 62.18% by 1 pm.

Election authorities reported receiving around 450 complaints by noon, along with an additional 375 complaints through the cVIGIL app.

While officials described the polling process as largely peaceful, sporadic incidents of violence across districts added a familiar intensity to Bengal’s electoral environment. The Election Commission has sought detailed reports from concerned officials regarding these incidents.

The first phase of polling covers all 54 seats in North Bengal, along with key constituencies in South Bengal and Junglemahal—regions that remain central to the BJP’s expansion strategy and the Trinamool Congress’s efforts to retain its dominance.

Overall, the high voter turnout underscores the active participation of citizens in shaping the democratic future of West Bengal.