West Bengal recorded a major voter turnout of 92.65 in the alternate and final phase of Assembly choices on Wednesday, taking the overall polling across two phases to nearly 93 the loftiest since Independence, according to the State’s Chief Electoral Officer.
Polling in the alternate phase covered 142 Assembly constituencies across seven sections in South Bengal. Pastoral sections led the turnout, with Purba Bardhaman recording the loftiest at 93.39, followed by South 24 Parganas (91.45), Hooghly (91.41), North 24 Parganas (91.39), and Nadia (91.35). Civic areas saw comparatively lower participation, with Kolkata South registering 87.25 and Kolkata North 88.91, while Howrah recorded 90.93.
The strong turnout follows an also high 93.19 polling in the first phase held on April 23 across 152 seats. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar hailed the development, stating, “Loftiest ever chance of polling in West Bengal in both Phase I & II since Independence.”
Despite the high participation, polling day was marked by pressure and sporadic incidents of violence and contested irregularities. The high-profile Bhabanipur constituency, where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is quarreling against BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, witnessed dramatic scenes.
Banerjee visited multiple polling cells and indicted central forces and election spectators of acting under BJP influence. “People are supposed to cast their votes, not the police. Can advancing take place like this?” she said, professing attempts to carry the election.
Pressures escalated when Mr. Adhikari voyaged to Bhabanipur, facing demurrers from Trinamool Congress sympathizers. Analogous competitions were reported in other constituencies, including Noapara and Bhangar.
In South 24 Parganas’ Falta constituency, BJP contended that EVM buttons were tampered with at some cells. Meanwhile, reports of clashes, intimidation, and frays between rival party sympathizers surfaced from multiple sections.
The Trinamool Congress also indicted Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) for surpluses, including contended assaults on choosers in several constituencies. The party claimed injuries to civilians and indeed a death in Howrah, though these claims remain queried.
The Election Commission had stationed 2,321 companies of central forces to ensure security during polling. Elderly officers covered sensitive areas, and despite isolated incidents, authorities maintained that polling was largely peaceful.
Post-poll security remains tight, with the Election Commission deciding to retain 700 companies of central forces in the state. Before, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had indicated that forces could remain stationed for an extended period to help post-election violence.
With polling now complete, the fate of 2,926 campaigners across all 294 Assembly constituencies has been sealed in electronic voting machines (EVMs). The electorate for the election stood at 6.81 crore after a special ferocious modification of rolls.
Counting of votes is listed for May 4, with results anticipated to determine the political future of the state amid violent competition and high voter engagement.
