West Bengal Election 2021 highlights: Nearly 80% voter turnout recorded
Voting for the eighth and final phase of the ongoing West Bengal assembly elections concluded on Thursday. Votes were cast at polling stations across the last 35 assembly constituencies going to the polls in this phase. Later in the day, after 7:30pm, news channels and poll agencies came out with their exit polls for the five assembly elections held recently, including the one in Bengal. The first round of the polling took place on March 27, followed by the subsequent phases on April 1, 6, 10, 17, 22 and 26 respectively. Counting of votes and declaration of results for all 294 constituencies in the eastern state, as well as the four other assembly elections, will take place on May 2....Read More
For the counting day, the Election Commission of India (ECI), under fire for scheduling the elections in eight phases amid the current second wave of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), has banned victory processions on or after the counting of votes on May 2. The ECI earlier said the final few phases of the voting will not be merged.
The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and its supremo, chief minister Mamata Banerjee, are facing a stiff challenge from the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). While the TMC and Banerjee are looking at a third straight term in office, the BJP is aiming at forming its first government in Bengal. The Congress, meanwhile, contested these polls in an alliance with the Left and the recently-formed Indian Secular Front (ISF).
Nearly 80% voter turnout recorded
According to EC sources, 76.07 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 5pm in 35 constituencies where polling was conducted on Thursday and is expected to go up further after the polling ends at 6.30pm
68.46% voter turnout recorded till 3.37pm
68.46% voter turnout recorded till 3.37pm in West Bengal Assembly elections: Election Commission of India
Firecrackers mistaken as bomb, says Election Commission
Firecrackers were set off outside Mahajati Sadan in central Kolkata on Thursday morning, which were initially alleged to be crude bombs, an official said. The incident, which happened on Central Avenue in the heart of the city soon after polling began in the area, triggered panic among the people. "Preliminary probe revealed that banned firecrackers were set off and not bombs," the official at the Chief Electoral Officer's office said.
West Bengal polls: 56.28% voter turnout recorded till 2.30 pm
An approximate 56.28 per cent voter turnout has been recorded till 2:30 pm as the eighth and the final phase of West Bengal assembly elections is underway on Thursday, according to the Election Commission (EC). Voting for the the last phase of West Bengal assembly elections began at 7am and will continue till 6.30am.
TMC seeks Covid-19 testing for polling agents/forces
We've submitted a memorandum to the EC that they've said that all counting agents and candidates should be tested for Covid-19 but no such instructions are there for polling agents/central forces. So we pointed that out: TMC MP Sougata Roy
Stray violence during eighth phase of polling in Bengal
Stray incidents of violence mark the last day of the polling in West Bengal. “Polls are being held by and large peacefully with no major incidents of violence," a senior EC official said.
Also Read | Final phase of polling kicks off in Bengal amid sporadic violence
Excellent work done by EC, forces, says governor Dhankhar
Election is the greatest festival in democracy, we both voted. Covid-19 protocol being followed 100%. I'm very happy with the arrangements. Excellent work done by EC and CAPF. Democracy is powered only by your votes. Anyone who doesn't vote loses the right to grievance: Jagdeep Dhankhar, Bengal governor.
Bengal governor, wife cast their votes
West Bengal governor Jagdeep Dhankhar, wife Sudesh, cast their votes at a booth in Kolkata's Chowringhee.
Polling underway in final phase in Bengal
Voting for the eighth and final phase of the West Bengal assembly elections underway in 35 assembly constituencies voting in this phase. The polling exercise commenced at 7:30am on Thursday.
Turnout of 16.04% recorded till 9:31am
Voter turnout of 16.04% recorded till 9:31am in the final phase of the polling in West Bengal, according to EC's voter turnout app.
EC seeks details as bomb hurled in north Kolkata
Bomb hurled near Mahajati Sadan Auditorium in north Kolkata. EC seeks details of the incident as more information awaited.
"Jungle raj" in Bengal, says BJP candidate after casting vote
"There was a public rally on April 18 in Sahapur where I was shot and taken to hospital. It was done by either TMC or Congress goons. There is 'jungle raj' here," says BJP candidate from Malda, Gopal Chandra Saha, after casting vote.
Specially abled voters cast votes
Specially abled voters cast their votes at a polling booth in Bolpur, Birbhum, in the eighth and final phase of the West Bengal assembly elections.
"Glitch" reported in EVM in polling booth in Birbhum
Voting began with a half an hour delay, at 7:30am, due to a "glitch" in the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM), at polling booth number 188 in Birbhum, in the eighth and final phase of polling in West Bengal.
BJP leader and actor Mithun Chakraborty casts vote
BJP leader and actor Mithun Chakraborty cast his vote for the final phase of West Bengal polls, at a polling station in Kashipur-Belgachia, north Kolkata.
PM Modi urges voters to cast votes in compliance with Covid-19 protocols
"Last phase of the 2021 West Bengal elections takes place today. In line with the Covid-19 protocols, I call upon people to cast their vote and enrich the festival of democracy," tweets Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Voting begins for eighth and final phase in Bengal
Voting across 35 seats in the eighth and final phase of West Bengal assembly elections begins.
Officials conduct "mock polling" in Malda
Election officials conduct a mock poll at polling booth number 23/24 in Malda.
Exit polls to be announced after 7:30pm
After 7:30pm, news channels and polling agencies will reveal their exit polls for the recently held five assembly elections, including in Bengal. Earlier, the ECI banned exit polls from 7am on March 27 to 7:30pm on April 29.
Eighth and final phase of polling in Bengal today
The eighth and final phase of the polling in the ongoing West Bengal assembly elections will begin at 7am on Thursday in the remaining 35 of the 294 assembly constituencies in the state.
