Voting for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections faced disruption at the Balua Chara High School booth in the Mothabari constituency due to a reported malfunction of the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM). Allegedly, the sector officer assigned to oversee the polling absconded, leading to confusion among voters and election officials.

The local electoral climate in Malda has been tense, with prior incidents raising concerns about the conduct of the elections. Political tensions have escalated in the district after seven judicial officers were reportedly gheraoed on April 1, prompting significant media attention and criticism.

In response to these earlier incidents, a team from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) visited Malda on April 4. Their investigation included interactions with the Superintendent of Police and a review of operations at the Block Development Officer’s office in Kaliachowk. The NIA’s involvement highlights the seriousness with which authorities are treating disturbances related to the electoral process.

Political Reactions to the Disruption

The disruption at the polling booth has led to heightened accusations between the two primary rival parties in West Bengal—the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Both parties have alleged misconduct by one another, resulting in a political row amidst the ongoing elections. Reports indicate that neither side has yet provided conclusive evidence to support their claims.

In the Mothabari constituency, key candidates are vying for a seat. Islam Md Najrul represents the TMC, while Nibaran Ghosh contests for the BJP. Additionally, Mostahid Haque from the All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and Sayem Chowdhury from the Congress Party are also part of the election fray, which adds layers to the competition.

The 2021 elections had previously seen TMC’s Yeasmin Sabina winning by a substantial margin of 56,573 votes—approximately 35.1 per cent—against BJP’s Shyamchand Ghosh, which underlines the competitive political landscape in the constituency.

Election Process and Timeline

The first phase of the Assembly elections commenced under stringent security measures, with voting scheduled to conclude at 6:00 pm on the same day. This electoral phase includes a total of 152 Assembly constituencies across West Bengal, as reported by the Election Commission of India (ECI).

The counting of votes is set for May 4, and the upcoming phases will determine the outcomes for the remaining 142 constituencies. In total, 1,478 candidates are contesting in this initial phase, reflecting the competitive nature of this election cycle.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is seeking a fourth consecutive term while the BJP aims to gain an upper hand after securing 77 seats previously. The electoral sentiment remains a topic of intense interest as candidates work towards securing the support of the electorate in West Bengal for this significant political event.

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