The first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections witnessed a historic voter turnout. On April 23, 2026, voting took place across 152 seats in 16 districts. The Election Commission reported that a staggering 92.88% voter turnout was recorded. This marked the highest voter participation since India’s independence.
Citalkuchi Seat: Dominated by SC and Muslim Voters
Citalkuchi, a reserved seat in the Cooch Behar district, recorded the highest voter turnout in the first phase. Around 97.53% of eligible voters cast their ballots. SC voters make up the majority in this constituency, with 63.59% of voters, while 26.10% of voters are Muslim. High voter turnout has been a consistent trend here in past elections.
Bhagwangola Seat: Muslim Majority Area
In the Bhagwangola constituency of Murshidabad district, 96.95% of voters turned out for the election. Muslim voters constitute over 85% of the electorate, while Hindu and other communities account for around 14%. This seat has consistently seen high Muslim participation, making it a critical area for determining election outcomes.
Raghunathganj Seat: Another Key Muslim Majority Area
Raghunathganj, also in Murshidabad, saw a voter turnout of 96.90%, the second highest in the first phase. Muslim voters make up about 80% of the population in this constituency, which significantly influences the results. This high participation indicates that the Muslim vote could be crucial in shaping the outcome here.
Mekliganj Seat: Reserved For Scheduled Castes
Mekliganj, a reserved seat in the Cooch Behar district, had a turnout of 96.87%. While Muslim voters make up 22.80% of the electorate with 49,371 voters, the majority here are SC voters, who make up 65% of the total. This constituency’s dynamics will be shaped by the influence of both Muslim and SC votes.
Raninagar Seat: Muslim Dominance
In the Raninagar constituency of Murshidabad, 96.81% of eligible voters turned out for the first phase. With nearly 81% of voters being Muslim, this seat is a Muslim-majority area. SC voters account for only 7.90%. The Muslim vote in Raninagar plays a vital role in shaping the electoral results.
