West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mamata Banerjee has raised concerns over alleged irregularities during the counting of votes in the 2026 Assembly Elections. As early trends began to emerge from the Election Commission, indicating a significant lead for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Banerjee stated that the counting process was reportedly halted at several locations.

In a video message recorded from her residence, she urged TMC counting agents to remain at the counting venues, assuring them that the party would pull through. Banerjee claimed that TMC was ahead by more than 100 seats, a figure she asserted was not being accurately portrayed in the media.

Banerjee accused the Election Commission of India and central forces of partiality. She alleged that the counting had been manipulated to favour the BJP, calling the situation a deliberate strategy aimed at undermining her party’s prospects.

Early Trends Indicating BJP Majority

According to initial reports from the Election Commission, the BJP was leading on 187 of the 294 seats in the West Bengal Assembly. In contrast, the TMC, under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee, was reportedly ahead in 92 seats, marking a significant shift in the political landscape compared to previous elections.

Banerjee reiterated that the counting processes should continue without interruptions. She pointed out that counting had stopped in various areas as part of a strategy allegedly implemented by the BJP. Her comments were made against the backdrop of rising slogans of support for the BJP outside her residence in Kolkata as the party appeared set to secure a comfortable majority.

This election comes in the wake of the TMC’s decisive victory in the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections, where the party won 213 seats out of 294, garnering approximately 48 per cent of the vote share. In contrast, the BJP emerged as the principal opposition with 77 seats and about 38 per cent of votes, marking a significant increase from its earlier performance.

Historic Voter Turnout in West Bengal Elections

The 2026 Assembly elections recorded a remarkable voter turnout, with a striking 91.66 per cent participation in Phase-II and 93.19 per cent in Phase-I, translating to an overall polling percentage of 92.47 per cent. This marks the highest voter turnout in West Bengal since independence, reflecting a growing engagement in the electoral process among the state’s populace.

The high voter engagement could indicate a closely contested election, though early results have pointed towards a considerable advantage for the BJP. The comprehensive participation across different phases of the elections provides insights into the shifting political dynamics within the state.

As the counting progresses, the reactions from party workers and supporters continue to shape the atmosphere surrounding the election results. The ongoing developments raise questions about the integrity of the electoral process and the implications it holds for the future political landscape of West Bengal.

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