Kolkata : Voter turnout in the second phase of polling in West Bengal touched 89.99 per cent by 5 pm on Wednesday, already overtaking the 80.4 per cent recorded for the same 142 seats in the 2021 Assembly elections. With an hour still left before polling stations close, officials said the final turnout is likely to climb further.
Purba Bardhaman recorded the highest turnout at 92.46 per cent, reflecting strong voter participation in the region. In Kolkata North, turnout stood at 87.77 per cent till 5 pm. Violence and vandalism reportedly took place in parts of West Bengal shortly after voting for the final phase of Assembly elections began this morning. Claims of an EVM glitch and failed and delayed voting were made in Hooghly and the CRPF personnel reportedly detained two people in Bally after a clash erupted over similar allegations.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee levelled big allegations against central forces deployed in West Bengal for the elections and said they were working “as per the BJP’s directions”. Mamata Banerjee is among the 1,448 candidates in fray across 142 constituencies that are seeing voting in the final phase today. She is tied in an intense fight with the BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari on the Bhabanipur seat.
The BJP looks to secure a mandate this time around after an improved tally of 77 seats in the last elections held in 2021. EVM tampering allegations: As candidates stepped out of their homes and took part in casting their votes this morning, some of them reported issues with the EVMs. BJP candidates in Sonarpur Dakshin and Panihati said there were some issues with the EVM buttons or machine at the booths.
Voting delayed at some booths? Some booths in Bengal’s Howrah and Baranagar saw chaos as voters alleged that the poll process began very late. The timing of the voting to begin was 7 am this morning. Angry voters claimed that there were “failed” attempts of voting due to a glitch with the EVMs. The mother of the RG Kar rape-murder victim has been fielded as a BJP candidate in Panihati. On Wednesday, she alleged being attacked by Trinamool workers.
Banerjee, who is also in the fray in the final phase from Bhabanipur, visited the constituency this morning and levelled big allegations against the central forces. She accused central forces and election observers of acting at the BJP’s behest and claimed TMC workers and leaders were being selectively targeted across districts. In the high-stakes Bhabanipur seat, where Mamata Banerjee is contesting against BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari, a total of 85.51% voting percentage has been recorded so far.
“Narendra Modi and Amit Shah are scared. The Election Commission is working as an agent in West Bengal. Despite extreme CRPF and security arrangements, voters are being beaten. They are selectively attacking the TMC workers. The BJP has reached its end stage; that is why it is doing all this. The public has the right to vote. There’s no need to scare the voters. Why should the voters be afraid? They attacked men, women, and kids of villages. What has happened to the BJP?” she said.
Read Also : Petrol-Diesel Price Hike Fake ! Govt Fact-Check Debunks Viral Claims