Voting in the first phase of the West Bengal state assembly elections took place amid tight security measures in 152 constituencies and 16 districts, with the participation rate reaching 18.76% as of 9 am. West Midnapore recorded the highest turnout at 20.51%, and Malda the lowest (16.96%).
More than 36 million voters are entitled to vote for 1,478 candidates, including 167 female candidates, in the first stage. The polling process began hours after political clashes were reported in Domkal, Noda (Murshidabad) and Sitalcochi (Cooch Behar) late on Wednesday evening. Four people were injured in a clash between supporters of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and supporters of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in Domkal. Raw bombs were dropped at Noda. In Sitalcochi, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader was injured.
A section of voters alleged that they were threatened with gunfire and asked not to go to the polling station in Raipur village in Domkal on Thursday morning, prompting police to rush to the spot. “In general, voting went peacefully across the 152 constituencies. Reports have been sought from election officials in the area where there were allegations of violence,” a poll official said.
The second phase of voting for the remaining 142 seats in West Bengal is scheduled to take place on April 29. The votes will be counted on May 4.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee led TMC is seeking a fourth consecutive term. Its arch rival, the Bharatiya Janata Party, aims to topple the TMC government. The Congress and the Left parties, which were effectively trounced in the polls five years ago, are hoping for a revival.
In 2021, the ruling TMC won 92 of the 152 seats that went to the polls in the first phase. The Bharatiya Janata Party won 59 seats. One seat (Kalimpong) went to an independent candidate. Congress and the Left failed to open their accounts.
In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on people to participate with full enthusiasm in the festival of democracy. “I especially urge my young friends and women of West Bengal to vote in large numbers.”
In a post on X, the TMC called on every voter to vote freely, fairly and without fear. “Come in with your head held high. Vote to honor Our Lady [mother]. Vote to defend our mate [soil]. Vote to protect our Manush [people]. Vote to maintain the development momentum in Swairpur [self-reliant] Bengali.”
The TMC sought votes to protect the rights of every individual. “And vote to respond decisively to the years of neglect, torment, deprivation and exploitation imposed by Bangla-Berudi [anti-Bengal] Buhiraguttu [outsider] Zamindars. Above all, use the power of your voice to send an overwhelming message to those who conspired to take that power from you. Your voice is your voice. “Your vote is your rule,” TMC wrote on X.
More than 2,400 companies of central paramilitary forces were deployed in the first phase of polling. A second polling official said: “Web casting system has been installed in 100% of polling stations. Camera-equipped vehicles are on the move. An integrated control room with around 90 screens has been set up for live streaming from polling stations and camera-mounted vehicles.” Central forces were guarding the polling stations.
