West Bengal elections 2026 Phase 1 voting: Polling in West Bengal saw a turbulent day as several constituencies, including Murshidabad, Malda and Siliguri, reported incidents of clashes, violence and technical glitches with EVMs, even as voting continued across the state.
Violence in Murshidabad’s Nowda
Polling in Murshidabad remained highly tense, especially in the Nowda Assembly constituency. A scuffle broke out between workers of TMC and Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AUJP) during founder Humayun Kabir’s visit to the area where a crude bomb attack happened on Wednesday night.
Several people were injured in the bomb attack in Nowda, which took place barely 50 metres from a polling station.
The bomb attack and further violence have raised serious concerns over security arrangements in Murshidabad.
Reports also indicated stone-pelting between TMC and AUJP workers.
Tensions further rose when TMC workers clashed with police while protesting the arrival of AUJP founder Humayun Kabir. An AUJP worker’s vehicle was allegedly vandalised by TMC supporters.
Humayun Kabir on Murshidabad violence
Reacting to the violence, Humayun Kabir said, “We want the Nowda police officer who lathi-charged my supporters overnight, this should not be done. The Election Commission should take action on them… A new officer should be posted there. Until then, I will keep sitting here in protest…”
TMC reacts to Murshidabad violence
TMC block president of Nowda, Sofiuzzaman Saikh, criticised AUJP founder Humayun Kabir. Saikh alleged Kabir was trying to create unrest during polling. He said, “Humayun Kabir is trying to make a mess. On the day of the elections, he came with 15 cars with anti-social criminals and FIR-registered criminals. He came here to snatch out our polling station agents. Humayun is creating a lot of hooliganism here. We have protested, we have complained, but no satisfactory action has been taken by ECI or the police administration. No one is arrested, no one is taken into custody. We can’t allow him to move freely in Nowda. It is our open threat to him not to move here in Nowda. If Humayun roams around, we will prevent him and block him.”
BJP blames TMC for Murshidabad violence
BJP leader Agnimitra Paul alleged attempts to disrupt polling, saying, “The Mamata Banerjee government will do such things, hurl bombs, load shedding. They will try to damage the cameras.”
Another BJP leader, Dibyendu Adhikari, criticised the law-and-order situation, stating, “Apart from all the other states, West Bengal stands out as the only state with violence pre-poll, on polling day, and even after the poll.”
The Election Commission of India has sought a report from the District Magistrate/District Election Officer regarding the situation in Nowda.
Clashes in Malda after EVM glitches
In Malda, tension broke out at Baluchara High School polling station after an alleged EVM malfunction. The situation escalated further, with reports that an officer was manhandled during the chaos.
Voters at polling booth number 141 in Khowar School, Gorabazar in Murshidabad also complained of an EVM malfunction during voting.
Clashes in Siliguri
In Siliguri, a heated argument broke out between TMC and BJP supporters at Jagadish Chandra Vidyapith booth (No. 26/237).
Proxy vote claim in Siliguri
A voter alleged that a proxy vote had been cast in her name. Her father Gopal Das said, “My daughter and I came to vote. I cast my vote, after which we were told that someone had already cast the vote in my daughter’s name… We were asked to call the DLO, who said that this is not under me.”
BJP candidate injured, car vandalised in Kumarganj
BJP candidate from Kumarganj, Subhendu Sarkar, alleged that he was injured and his vehicle was vandalised in an attack by TMC workers in the Kumarganj Assembly constituency.
Voter turnout
Despite tensions, voting continued across the state. The Election Commission reported a voter turnout of 41.11 per cent till 11 am, with Paschim Medinipur leading at 44.69 per cent.