Sporadic violence and attacks on candidates disrupted polling in parts of West Bengal on Thursday, April 23, 2026, as the first phase of the Assembly elections took place across 152 constituencies. The Election Commission of India (ECI) requested reports from the affected areas.
The state saw a strong voter turnout of over 62.18% by 1 p.m. on Thursday, showing high early participation.
Clashes occur between election supporters
In Murshidabad’s Naoda, clashes erupted between supporters of the Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) and the ruling TMC. Police and central forces had to use batons to break up the crowds, according to officials.
The violence in Shibnagar village began after a tense morning when AJUP founder HumayunKabir visited a polling booth. His visit led to protests by TMC supporters, who surrounded his vehicle and labeled him a “BJP agent.” As tensions rose, rival groups reportedly threw stones and bricks, creating a law and order problem. Several vehicles were damaged during the clashes.
TMC workers pose threats to voters
Mr. Kabir accused the ruling party of intimidating voters and engaging in electoral misconduct. He claimed that TMC workers and police had been pressuring voters with threats and bribes since the night before. He said, “The election should be conducted peacefully, but outside the booths, people are being intimidated. The Election Commission should take strict action.”
The TMC dismissed these allegations. Its candidate, Shahina Mumtaz Khan, condemned the violence, calling it a “really bad incident.”
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