As voting commenced for the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections, an early turnout of 18.76% was reported by 9 AM across 152 constituencies. The Election Commission deployed 2,450 companies of central forces to ensure security. However, tensions flared in Murshidabad, where clashes between Trinamool Congress and CPI(M) workers resulted in injuries, prompting the Election Commission to request an Action Taken Report. Voters in some areas faced challenges, including delays due to electronic voting machine (EVM) issues. This phase is crucial, covering regions from the hills of Darjeeling to the minority-dominated areas of Malda and Murshidabad, with significant political battles expected, including Suvendu Adhikari's contest in Nandigram and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury's return to politics after three decades. The election is overshadowed by the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and allegations of corruption, making it a politically charged environment.