Modi Urges Record Voter Turnout as WB Phase 2 Polling Begins

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday urged voters in West Bengal to participate in large numbers as polling for the second phase of the 2026 Assembly elections began across 142 constituencies. 

In a post on X, Modi called on citizens to strengthen democracy through active participation, with special emphasis on women and young voters. He encouraged them to turn out in record numbers and exercise their franchise to make democracy



more vibrant and participative.

The scale of the second phase is significant, covering nearly half of the state’s 294 assembly seats. Around 3.21 crore voters are eligible to vote, including over 1.64 crore men, 1.57 crore women, and 792 third-gender voters. 

A total of 1,448 candidates, including 220 women, are contesting across 41,001 polling stations, more than 8,000 of which are managed entirely by women.