Women voters outnumber men in first phase of Bengal elections: ECI
The Statesman | 23 April 2026
Women voters in West Bengal outnumbered their male counterparts in the first phase of the West Bengal elections, figures released by the Election Commission of India have revealed.
According to data given out by the ECI, 92.69 per cent of women in the electorate cast their votes on Thursday, surpassing the 90.92 per cent turnout recorded among men. The margin of difference stood at 1.77 percentage.
Meanwhile, turnout among third gender voters was reported at 56.79 per cent, reflecting a comparatively lower but still significant level of engagement.
Women voters have turned out to be decisive factor in Bengal and have swung the results of previously held elections in the state.
The first phase of the elections covered 152 Assembly constituencies across 16 districts in the state.
The overall voter turnout on Thursday, reached a record 92.28 per cent, an ECI official said.
Polling is set to continue with the second phase scheduled for 29 April that will encompass 142 Assembly Constituencies. The counting date for the polls is scheduled on May 4.