West Bengal logs record 91.66% turnout in phase 2, sporadic violence reported across districts | India News
New Delhi: West Bengal on Wednesday recorded over 91% voter turnout in the second phase of assembly elections, with reports of sporadic violence.According to the Election Commission, the state registered a record 92.47% total voter turnout in the two phases, the highest since independence. Voter turnout in the second phase was around 91.66%, while the first phase on April 23 recorded 93.19%.
“The combined voting percentage in the two phases stands at 92.47 percent,” the poll watchdog said.The total number of voters in West Bengal is 6.81 crore.Despite strong participation, incidents of violence and vandalism occurred from several areas including Chapra, Shantipur, Nimtala and Bhangar.In Chapra in Nadia district, a BJP polling agent was allegedly attacked by “miscreants linked to the ruling TMC”, according to party leaders. A senior police officer said that the injured person, identified as Mosharef Mir, has been admitted to a local hospital.BJP candidate Saikat Sarkar said the incident took place after the start of mock polls. “TMC supporters obstructed the BJP agent and hit him on the head, resulting in injury,” he said. A complaint has been filed with the local police, though the TMC has denied the allegations.The injured agent claimed that 15-16 TMC supporters accosted him, one of them carrying a gun. He said he was hit by a rod and collapsed.In Shantipur, a BJP camp office in ward number 16 was vandalized on Wednesday morning, furniture damaged, creating tension in the area, police said.In Bhangar in South 24 Parganas, an ISF agent was prevented from entering a polling station, leading to unrest. ISF leader Arabul Islam claimed, “Agents’ forms are being stripped and thrown away… Women are not being allowed to vote. We have placed agents so that everyone can vote.”Voting was delayed at booth number 140 in Nimtala, where polling did not begin even by 7.30 am, creating tension among voters.An official from the Chief Electoral Officer’s office said, “We have sought reports from the concerned officers deployed in these areas. They have been asked to ensure that polling is free and fair and that everyone can participate without fear.”Despite these incidents, this year’s election saw a record turnout. Earlier, the highest voter turnout in the state was 84.72% in the 2011 assembly elections.Female voter participation is slightly higher than male. According to EC data, 92.28% of women voted against 91.07% of men in this phase.Voter turnout was also high across the state. On 9 April, Assam and Puducherry recorded 85.38% and 89.83% voter turnout respectively, their highest ever. In Tamil Nadu, women voters also outnumbered men, with a turnout of 85.76% compared to 83.57% for men.In West Bengal, women’s voter turnout stood at 92.69%, higher than that of men at 90.92%.Reacting to the high voter turnout, CEC Gyanesh Kumar said, “For the highest voting percentage in West Bengal since independence, the EC salutes every voter in the state.”Counting of votes in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala and Assam will take place on May 4.
