West Bengal recorded an exceptionally high voter turnout during the first phase of its assembly elections, following the removal of about 9.1 million names from the electoral roll through the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. According to the Election Commission, by 5 p.m. on Thursday, the average turnout across 152 constituencies had reached 89.93 percent, surpassing previous records from 2021 and 2024. South Dinajpur district reported the highest turnout at 93.12 percent, followed by Cooch Behar at 92 percent. Seven of the sixteen districts voting that day saw participation above 90 percent.
Analysts and observers noted that voter enthusiasm was unusually strong from early morning. Political analyst Biswajit Bhattacharya described the steady rise in turnout as unprecedented. Researcher Sabir Ahmed from the Sabar Institute suggested that many migrant workers may have returned home to vote, driven by concern over the SIR process. Asif Farooq of the Migrant Workers’ Unity Forum said voters were eager to ensure their names remained on the rolls, even keeping photocopies of voter slips as proof.
Observers believe the heightened turnout reflects public determination to assert voting rights amid uncertainty caused by the SIR exclusions.
আমার দেশ অনলাইন প্রকাশ : ২৩ এপ্রিল ২০২৬, ১৯: ৩১ বিধানসভা নির্বাচনের আগে পশ্চিমবঙ্গে স্পেশাল ইনটেনসিভ রিভিশনের (এসআইআর) মাধ্যমে ভোটার তালিকা থেকে প্রায় ৯১ লাখ ভোটারের নাম বাদ পড়েছে। এর প্রভাব পড়েছে পশ্চিমবঙ্গের বিধানসভা নির্বাচনের। প্রথম দফার ভোট গ
The ‘1 Nojor’ media platform is now live in beta, inviting users to explore and provide feedback as we continue to refine the experience.
