Bengal Polls Live Updates: Polling conducted peacefully today, says EC

Bengal Phase 5 Polling: Electorates across several key constituencies in north and south Bengal are voting in a crucial phase of West Bengal polls. 45 constituencies spanning across districts Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong, Darjeeling and a segment of Purbo Bardhaman, N. 24 Parganas and Nadia vote today.

Voters stand in a queue at a polling station to cast their ballot during the 5th phase of West Bengal's state legislative assembly elections in Kolkata. (AFP)

West Bengal Election 2021 Phase 5 Voting Live Updates: West Bengal holds Phase 5 of its legislative elections on Saturday as candidates from Trinamool Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party, Congress and Communist Party of India (Marxist) go head-to-head in 45 constituencies spanning across 6 districts. Electorates of several North Bengal districts like Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong, Darjeeling along with a segment of Purbo Bardhaman, North 24 Parganas and Nadia will exercise their universal franchise on April 17. The elections in Bengal come amid a surge of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases across the nation as well as in Bengal....Read More

Follow all the updates here:

• 17 Apr 2021, 07:45:49 PM IST

  Polling conducted peacefully today: Election Commission

  Polling in 15,789 polling stations spread across 45 assembly constituencies in West Bengal phase-5 elections, bye-election in two parliamentary constituencies and 12 assembly constituencies across 10 States conducted peacefully today: Election Commission

• 17 Apr 2021, 06:13:40 PM IST

  Locals in Kurulgacha area of Deganga assembly constituency allege that Central Forces open fire

  Locals in Kurulgacha area of Deganga assembly constituency allege that Central Forces open fire.

  "Peaceful voting underway here. Suddenly 8-9 personnel of Central Forces stormed here and open fire. One round was fired, nobody has been injured," says a local.

• 17 Apr 2021, 06:06:42 PM IST

  Convoy of a BJP candidate attacked during 5th phase of voting

  Convoy of Raju Banerjee, BJP candidate from Kamarhati in North 24 Parganas, attacked during fifth phase of voting.

  "Bomb & stones have been thrown at me. I have lodged a complaint with Election Commission," he says.

• 17 Apr 2021, 06:05:13 PM IST

  78.36% voter turnout recorded till 6pm in Phase 5

  West Bengal recorded a voter turnout of 78.36% per cent till 6pm across 45 constituencies in six districts during the fifth phase of the state Assembly polls

• 17 Apr 2021, 05:12:34 PM IST

  Callousness on PM's part to be addressing rallies in WB instead of fighting war against Covid: Congress

  The Congress on Saturday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of "shocking callousness" for addressing rallies in poll-bound West Bengal "instead of staying in Delhi" to handle the Covid pandemic situation.

• 17 Apr 2021, 04:21:59 PM IST

  TMC broken, Mamata Banerjee playing politics with the dead: PM

  Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday claimed that the TMC has been broken in the first four phases of elections, and asserted that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her nephew would be vanquished by the end of polling in the state.

• 17 Apr 2021, 04:14:51 PM IST

  Didi is certainly going on May 2 and BJP is forming government: Amit Shah

  I came here today after travelling all over Bengal. I can tell you, Didi is certainly going on May 2 and BJP is forming the government with more than 200 seats: Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah in Ausgram, West Bengal.

• 17 Apr 2021, 04:04:00 PM IST

  69.4% voter turnout till 4pm in Phase 5

  West Bengal recorded a voter turnout of 69.40 per cent till 4pm across 45 constituencies in six districts during the fifth phase of the state Assembly polls, according to the Election Commission (EC).

• 17 Apr 2021, 03:53:09 PM IST

  Mamata put future of millions of Bengal's youth at stake to secure Bhaipo's future: PM Modi

  Attacking West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said she has put the future of millions of youth at stake to secure the future of her 'Bhaipo' (nephew).

• 17 Apr 2021, 03:45:00 PM IST

  TMC MP Mimi Chakraborty casts her vote

  TMC MP Mimi Chakraborty casts her vote at a polling booth in Jalpaiguri, in the fifth phase of the State's Assembly election.

• 17 Apr 2021, 03:23:09 PM IST

  TMC seeks Bengal CEO's action over over audio clip of Mamata Banerjee and Partha Pratim Ray

  Trinamool Congress (TMC) writes to Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal over "recording of phone conversation between CM Mamata Banerjee and Partha Pratim Ray."

• 17 Apr 2021, 03:21:46 PM IST

  My phone is being tapped, will order CID probe: Mamata Banerjee

  A day after a purported audio tape -in which she is heard proposing a rally with the bodies of Cooch Behar firing victims- surfaced, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday alleged that her phone is being tapped and said she will order a CID probe into it.

• 17 Apr 2021, 03:21:16 PM IST

  Mamata's day incomplete without abusing me: PM Modi

  Mamata Banerjee's day is not complete without abusing me: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at a rally in Bengal's Gangarampur.

• 17 Apr 2021, 03:07:59 PM IST

  55.28% voter turnout recorded till 3pm

  West Bengal records 55.28% voter turnout till 3pm.

• 17 Apr 2021, 02:49:22 PM IST

  Didi hates names of both lord Ram and river Ganga: PM Modi

  Gangarampur has 2 holy names, that define our culture, in its own name...But it seems Didi hates names of both lord Ram and river Ganga. She abuses Indians living in areas near river Ganga. She insults their beliefs, food, language and clothes: PM in Gangarampur.

• 17 Apr 2021, 02:46:01 PM IST

  TMC goons stopped me here at Nayapatti: BJP's Sabyasachi Dutta

  TMC goons stopped me here at Nayapatti. They are also stopping the voters even as polling is underway: BJP candidate from Bidhan Nagar, Sabyasachi Dutta, in the assembly constituency.

• 17 Apr 2021, 02:41:58 PM IST

  Mamata Banerjee's politics has crossed a dangerous limit of vengeance: PM Modi

  A day after an FIR was registered against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee allegedly for provoking an attack on central forces during the fourth phase of polling, which led to the deaths of four people, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday slammed her for crossing the limit of vengeance.

• 17 Apr 2021, 02:32:01 PM IST

  54.7% voter turnout till 2.30pm in Phase 5

  West Bengal witnesses 54.7% voter turnout till 2.30pm in Phase 5 of Assembly elections.

• 17 Apr 2021, 02:14:35 PM IST

  EC puts off poll at Bengal's Jangipur seat following death of RSP candidate

  The Election Commission on Saturday put off assembly election to the Jangipur seat in West Bengal following the death of a Revolutionary Socialist Party candidate.

• 17 Apr 2021, 02:06:42 PM IST

  TMC delegation to meet Bengal CEO

  The delegation will submit a memorandum to the state electoral commission. The delegation comprises Yashwant Sinha, Derek O'Brien and Purnendu Basu.

• 17 Apr 2021, 01:53:05 PM IST

  Sporadic incidents of violence reported across several districts amid polling causing injuries

  • TMC MLA Sujit Bose and BJP candidate Sabyasachi Dutta intervened as clashes broke out between TMC and BJP supporters Shantinagar area of Bidhanagar. Both sides accused each other of blocking voters. 8 injured as bricks were hurled by both sides.
  • Supporters of the TMC and CPI(M) scuffled outside a polling booth in Siliguri.
  • TMC cadres alleged that central forces were asking voters to go back in Nadia's Santipur.
  • TMC alleged the BJP workers captured a booth in the Bardhaman Uttar constituency.
  • Clashes erupted between TMC and BJP supporters in north 24 Parganas' Bijpur.
  • BJP workers alleged that in Minakha their booth agents were 'kidnapped' by the TMC.
• 17 Apr 2021, 01:45:05 PM IST

  Polling adjourned at Jangipur Assembly Constituency

  Murshidabad's Jangipur will not go to polls on April 26 due to the death of Pradip K Nandi of the RSP.

• 17 Apr 2021, 01:35:28 PM IST

  PM Modi accuses Mamata Banerjee of blocking Centre's initiatives

  PM Modi also said that there is no safety and security of women in the state during TMC rule.

• 17 Apr 2021, 01:25:02 PM IST

  Bengal records 51.94% voter turnout till 1:23pm

  Bengal has recorded 51.94% turnout till 1:23pm according to data shared by the election commission.

• 17 Apr 2021, 12:08:52 PM IST

  BJP asks EC to form SIT over Sitalkuchi audio tapes

  The BJP wrote to EC to take stern action against Bengal CM over the release of purported audio tapes where the CM is heard asking partyworkers to protest with dead bodies.

• 17 Apr 2021, 11:38:46 AM IST

  Bengal records 35.55% turnout till 11am

  

  Voter turnout at 11 am in West Bengal (ECI/Voter Turnout App)

  Voter turnout recorded at 35.55% till 11am in West Bengal.

• 17 Apr 2021, 11:22:16 AM IST

  20% candidates in Phase 5 of polls have assets more than 1 crore

  

  At least 143 candidates have criminal cases against them (HT Illustration)

  45% of the candidates contesting the phase 5 of polls have criminal cases against them.

• 17 Apr 2021, 10:51:14 AM IST

  Ex-BJP ally says party will not be able to win polls

  Former BJP ally GJM leader Bimal Gurung says parties involved in politics of violence will not win the polls in the state.

• 17 Apr 2021, 10:16:16 AM IST

  Take a look at candidates with highest declared assets

  

  Candidates with highest declared assets in Phase 5 of polls (HT Illustrator)

  Congress' Ritzu Ghoshal and independent candidate from Kalimpong Ruden Sada Lepcha have assets over at least ₹15 crore.

• 17 Apr 2021, 10:09:25 AM IST

  BJP polling agent dies at Kamarhati polling booth 107

  A BJP polling agent Abhijeet Samant died at a polling booth in Kamarhati. Abhijeet's brother told ANI that there no facility to treat Abhijit in the polling booth.

• 17 Apr 2021, 09:57:22 AM IST

  West Bengal Election 2021 Phase 5 Voter turnout at 9:32 am: 16.15%

  Election Commission says the state has recorded 16.15% voting so far in phase 5 of assembly polls.

• 17 Apr 2021, 09:54:46 AM IST

  How Trinamool Congress and other parties fared in 2016 and 2011 assembly polls

  

  An overview of how the parties fared in two previous legislative elections (HT Illustration)

  Barring the Gorkha Janamukti Morcha which maintained a consistent record in north Bengal and the TMC which gained seats 2016 legislative assembly polls, the Left Front and the Congress have lost seats in all the districts that are voting today.

• 17 Apr 2021, 09:33:32 AM IST

  Bengal minister Sujit Bose casts his vote

  Bengal minister and Trinamool Congress veteran Sujit Bose cast his vote at a polling booth at Bidhannagar in East Kolkata.

• 17 Apr 2021, 09:29:59 AM IST

  TMC officials to meet Election Commission over Mamata's Cooch Behar audio clip

  Trinamool Congress leaders will approach EC over BJP's release of a purported audio clip where Mamata Banerjee is heard asking people to march with the bodies of 4 dead in Cooch Behar firing.

• 17 Apr 2021, 08:47:24 AM IST

  Voting underway in Kolkata's Dakshineshwar

  Polling for the phase 5 of the West Bengal polls began as voters were seen queuing outside a polling booth outside Hiralal Mazumder Memorial College for Women in Dakshineswar, Kolkata.

• 17 Apr 2021, 08:45:07 AM IST

  TMC leader Madan Mitra casts his vote at Kamarhati

  Trinamool Congress leader Madan Mitra was seen at a polling booth in Kamarhati casting his vote. He is going head-to-head with CPI(M) leader Manash Mukherjee.

• 17 Apr 2021, 07:52:21 AM IST

  Gorkha National Liberation Front president confident BJP will win hill districts

  GNLF president while speaking to news agency ANI said he was certain that during this elections it is 'game over' for the TMC. He said that a change in government is needed.

• 17 Apr 2021, 07:49:07 AM IST

  Voters get set to cast their votes at Bardhaman South

  Voters were seen getting ready to cast their votes during the West Bengal Election 2021 phase 5 voting at a polling booth in Bardhaman South.

• 17 Apr 2021, 07:13:23 AM IST

  PM Modi urges voters to go and vote in large numbers

  Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged voters to go in large numbers and exercise their franchise. He also asked first time voters to go and cast their votes.

• 17 Apr 2021, 07:01:44 AM IST

  Polling for Phase 5 of elections kicks off

  

  Voters outside a polling centre in Salt Lake's Bidhannagar (ANI/Twitter)

  West Bengal's 45 constituencies across 6 districts begin polling.

• 17 Apr 2021, 06:59:39 AM IST

  Early voters queue at North 24 Parganas' Kamarhati

  A polling booth in North 24 Parganas' Kamarhati saw early voters queuing up ahead of the West Bengal Election 2021 Phase 5 Voting.

• 17 Apr 2021, 06:56:49 AM IST

  North 24 Parganas' Bidhannagar gears up for polling

  North 24 Parganas' Bidhannagar which will begin voting shortly sees preparations ahead of West Bengal Election 2021 Phase 5 Voting which is scheduled to begin shortly.

• 17 Apr 2021, 06:54:18 AM IST

  Polling officers prepare ahead of voting in Siliguri

  Polling officers were seen preparing ahead of the West Bengal Election 2021 Phase 5 Voting in north Bengal's Siliguri.

• 17 Apr 2021, 06:25:19 AM IST

  Covid-19 shadow looms large over Bengal as electorates across 45 constituencies vote

  The pandemic remains a challenge for the state as it registered 6,910 new Covid-19 cases and 26 fatalities ahead of the West Bengal elections phase 5 voting. Bengal currently has 41,047 active cases of Covid-19.

• 17 Apr 2021, 06:16:05 AM IST

  Phase 5 to witness key battle between BJP, TMC

  BJP buoyed by its performance in 2019 Lok Sabha elections is confident of ahead of West Bengal Election 2021 Phase 5 Voting across 13 constituencies of north Bengal. Trinamool Congress also remains confident that local issues will increase the chances of registering a strong win in south Bengal seats.