First Phase West Bengal Elections : 92% Voting Amid Violence, EVM Malfunctions, and Allegations

This phase spanned diverse regions—from the misty hills of North Bengal to the scorching plains of the south.

 This record turnout, higher than the 82% in the 2021 elections, reflected strong voter enthusiasm in a fiercely contested electoral battleground where politics revolves around power, identity, and public welfare.

The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), led by the resolute Mamata Banerjee, is aiming for a historic fourth consecutive victory. It is relying on its strong grassroots organisation, women-centric schemes like Lakshmir Bhandar, and accusations of neglect by the Central government.

On the other hand, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is working to strengthen its foothold on the 77 seats it won in 2021. Its strategy hinges on an anti-incumbency wave, post-poll violence from the previous election, and Hindutva issues in border districts.

 The Left-Congress alliance, though weakened, continues to make the multi-cornered contest interesting—especially in Muslim-majority and rural areas.However, polling day on 23 April turned into a spectacle of chaos amid blistering 40°C heat.

EVM malfunctions, violent clashes, and a barrage of mutual accusations put the resilience of India’s democratic system to a severe test.

The Election Commission received over 700 complaints—360 directly and 340 via the C-Vigil app. These included technical glitches, booth capturing, and voter intimidation.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar had already anticipated such disturbances and had instructed Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal to deploy additional central forces in sensitive districts like Murshidabad, Birbhum, and Cooch Behar.

Despite the widespread chaos, order was largely restored in most areas, clearing the way for the second phase of polling on 29 April across 142 seats. Results are scheduled for 4 May.

Technical glitches at several booths intensified fears of rigging. At booth number 141 in Baharampur, a traditional Congress stronghold, EVMs kept malfunctioning. They were replaced four times but still failed to work properly.

Congress candidate and Lok Sabha MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, a local heavyweight, criticised the election officials’ failure, claiming hundreds of voters were deprived of their right to vote. Elderly women and daily-wage labourers stood in long queues under the scorching sun, with many eventually leaving in disappointment.

A 68-year-old Sunita Devi, voting for the first time after her name was added to the voter list, said sadly, “We have been standing in this intense heat since morning, but the machines are not working.”

Similar delays were reported in Beldaanga, Shamsherganj, and Kandi in Murshidabad; Nandigram; Cooch Behar; Habibpur in Malda; and Siliguri in Darjeeling. Election officials attributed the issues to machines overheating due to the extreme heat and promised mock polls before the next phase.

Analysts say these disruptions lend credence to the TMC’s claim that it is a “BJP conspiracy,” reminiscent of the 2021 controversies that led to re-polling at some booths.

Clashes between TMC and BJP workers, often driven by ideological rivalries, further vitiated the atmosphere.

 In Kumarganj, BJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari (Suvendu Sarkar) alleged that his polling agent was thrown out of the booth while the TMC agent remained inside.

He accused the local Superintendent of Police of siding with TMC, calling him “a party man,” and claimed “jihadis” attacked him, after which “Sanatanis” came to his rescue.

The Election Commission assured an inquiry into the matter. In nearby Murarai, a scuffle between Congress workers and TMC supporters injured two Congress workers on the head. The party alleged that voters were being prevented from casting votes.

 In Labpur, Birbhum, a BJP agent was brutally beaten and hospitalised at Suri Sadar Hospital.Tension escalated in Dubrajpur when TMC alleged EVM tampering by BJP and halted polling around 1:30 PM. Protests turned into clashes with central security forces, leading to a lathi-charge. Several TMC workers and two security personnel were injured.

She claimed she narrowly escaped but her car was damaged, blaming TMC “goons.” In Naoda, clashes between TMC and supporters of Humayun Kabir led to vehicle vandalism. Central forces carried out a lathi-charge. Humayun Kabir denied any involvement.Even before polling began, violence was reported overnight.

A woman was injured in a country-made bomb blast in Naoda. Clashes occurred between TMC and CPI(M) workers in Domkal’s Raipur village (Murshidabad), along with reports of threats. In Jhargram, a wild elephant scared voters.After the high turnout, all parties claimed victory.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi linked it to signs of a BJP win in a rally. Mamata Banerjee from Bhabanipur described voters’ patience as a response to “BJP atrocities” and credited TMC’s welfare schemes.

Chief Electoral Officer Agarwal praised the “fear-free” environment and rejected calls for re-polling. BJP’s Dilip Ghosh called it “largely peaceful,” saying some anti-social elements had been detained.

Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, contesting from Baharampur, claimed that TMC’s threats failed to intimidate voters in Murshidabad this time. “I was amazed to see people standing in queues without fear—something I had never seen before,” he said, adding that people feared their names would be removed from the voter list if they didn’t vote.

BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari claimed his party would win 125 out of the 152 seats that went to polls. Meanwhile, the TMC war room is targeting over 105 seats in the first phase. The second phase of polling will be held on 29 April, with results on 4 May.