“TMC vs BJP Showdown Begins as Phase 1 Voting Starts in Bengal”

West Bengal Elections 2026 Phase 1 Voting LIVE: High Stakes Battle Begins Across 152 Seats Voting for Phase 1 of the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 commenced on April 23 at 7:00 am across 152 constituencies spread over 16 districts, marking the beginning of a crucial political contest in the state. Over 3.6 crore voters are eligible to cast their ballots to decide the fate of around 1,478 candidates in this opening phase, making it one of the most significant electoral exercises in recent times. The election is largely seen as a direct contest between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party, with several high-profile constituencies like Nandigram, Siliguri, and Kharagpur Sadar drawing intense attention. Tight security arrangements, including deployment of central forces and extensive monitoring, have been put in place to ensure free and fair polling. Voter turnout trends and constituency-wise updates are being closely watched, as the results of this phase are expected to set the tone for the remaining elections and influence the overall political direction of the state.