Kolkata, which traditionally registers a low voter turnout, almost caught up with the rest of West Bengal on Wednesday. According to Election Commission data, the city recorded over 88.4% voter turnout by 9 PM, a massive jump from 60.2% in the 2021 assembly elections, when it was the lowest in the state. The overall turnout in West Bengal breached the 90% mark this time.
Constituency-Wise Breakdown
Kolkata South, comprising four Assembly constituencies—Kolkata Port, Bhowanipore, Rashbehari, and Ballygunge—recorded a polling percentage of 87.7%. Kolkata North saw a turnout of 89.3%. Bhowanipore, the most keenly watched constituency where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of the Trinamool Congress and BJP's Suvendu Adhikari are facing off, recorded 86.6% polling until 9 PM. In 2021, Bhowanipore had registered a voter turnout of only 61.3%.
Chowringhee in Kolkata North, which faced 87,725 SIR (Summary Revision of Electoral Rolls) deletions—the highest in the state—saw 86.6% voter turnout by 9 PM, compared to 53.2% in 2021. Despite significant SIR deletions, other constituencies also showed impressive turnouts: Entally recorded 92%, Beleghata 90.7%, Shyampukur 88%, Maniktala 90.2%, and Cossipore-Belgachhia 88.9%.
Expert Opinions on the Surge
Former Head of the Department of Political Science and Sociology at Presidency University, Prasanta Roy, attributed the increased turnout to a combination of SIR deletions and anti-incumbency sentiment. However, former Prasar Bharati CEO and ex-Rajya Sabha MP Jawhar Sircar offered a differing view. "There is anger over people's names being struck off. Many have voted who could not have otherwise," he said.
