Big Start: West Bengal Records 18.39% Voting in First 2 Hours

In the second and decisive phase of voting in West Bengal, turnout has been strong since morning, with 18.39% polling recorded in the first two hours (till 9 AM) across 142 seats. Voting began at 7 AM and is progressing at a brisk pace, with expectations of high overall turnout similar to previous phases. Several prominent leaders, including Suvendu Adhikari, Abhishek Banerjee, Mahua Moitra, and Mithun Chakraborty, have already cast their votes. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is also seen inspecting polling booths. The TMC has alleged irregularities, accusing central forces of bias, while incidents of violence and EVM-related complaints have been reported from areas like Howrah and Nadia. Security forces have intervened to control unrest in some locations. Analysts note that higher voter turnout may be influenced by electoral roll concerns (SIR), prompting more people to ensure their names remain active in voter lists. The final turnout is expected to remain high as polling continues.