NEW DELHI: West Bengal recorded a high voter turnout of over 91% in the second phase of assembly elections on Wednesday, along with reports of sporadic violence in some areas. According to the Election Commission, the state registered a combined turnout of 92.47% across the two phases, the highest since Independence.
Record Voter Participation
The voter turnout in phase II stood at around 91.66%, while phase I on April 23 had recorded 93.19%. The Election Commission stated, "The combined poll percentage over the two phases stands at 92.47 per cent." West Bengal has a total voter base of 6.81 crore. This election has seen record participation, surpassing the previous highest turnout of 84.72% in the 2011 Assembly polls.
Incidents of Violence
Despite strong participation, incidents of violence and vandalism were reported from several areas, including Chapra, Shantipur, Nimtala, and Bhangar. In Chapra, Nadia district, a BJP polling agent was allegedly attacked by miscreants linked to the ruling TMC, according to party leaders. The injured person, identified as Mosharef Mir, was admitted to a local hospital. BJP candidate Saikat Sarkar said the incident occurred after the mock poll began, claiming that TMC supporters obstructed the agent and hit him on the head. A complaint has been filed with the local police, though the TMC denied the allegations. The injured agent claimed that 15–16 TMC supporters charged at him, one carrying a gun, and he was hit with a rod and collapsed.
In Shantipur, a BJP camp office in ward number 16 was vandalised on Wednesday morning, with furniture damaged, creating tension. In Bhangar, South 24 Parganas, an ISF agent was allegedly stopped from entering a polling booth, leading to unrest. ISF leader Arabul Islam claimed that agents' forms were being snatched and they were being thrown out, and women were not being allowed to vote. There were also delays in voting at booth number 140 in Nimtala, where polling had not started even by 7.30 am, causing tension among voters.
An official from the chief electoral officer's office said, "We have sought reports from the respective officials posted in these areas. They have been asked to ensure that polling is free and fair and everyone can participate without intimidation."
Gender-wise Turnout
Women voters slightly outnumbered men in participation. According to EC data, 92.28% of women voted compared to 91.07% of men in this phase. Across the state, women turnout stood at 92.69%, higher than men at 90.92%. In Tamil Nadu, women voters also outnumbered men, with 85.76% participation compared to 83.57% for men.
Other States
Across states, voter turnout was also high. On April 9, Assam and Puducherry recorded 85.38% and 89.83% turnout respectively, their highest ever. Reacting to the high turnout in West Bengal, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said, "For the highest ever percentage of polling in West Bengal since Independence, the EC salutes each voter of the state." Counting of votes for West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, and Assam will take place on May 4.
