WB Elections, 7th Phase Highlights: Phase 7 Polling Witnesses 75 Percent Total Turnout Amid Covid Restrictions

WB Elections, 7th Phase Highlights: Over 86 lakh voters in West Bengal will decide the political fate of 284 candidates today, as 34 assembly constituencies, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's home turf Bhabanipur, go to polls in the seventh phase, amid a raging second wave of COVID-19.

Background

WB Elections, 7th Phase Highlights:  West Bengal is voting for its seventh phase of Assembly elections today which will decide the fate of 284 candidates in the fray contesting for 34 assembly constituencies.

West Bengal on Saturday registered its highest-single- day spike of 14,281 coronavirus cases, which took the tally to 7,28,061, and at least 59 more people succumbed to the infection, pushing the toll to 10,884.

Voting will be held at 12,068 polling stations spread over nine assembly constituencies each in Murshidabad and Paschim Bardhaman districts, six each in Dakshin Dinajpur and Malda, and four in Kolkata, the official said.

All eyes will be on the Bhabanipur constituency, of which the TMC supremo is the sitting MLA and a resident.

Banerjee, however, has opted for Nandigram to contest the elections this time and reposed faith in veteran politician and state power minister Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay to make a hat-trick of wins for the party from Bhabanipur.

State minister Firhad Hakim is also seeking re- election for a third consecutive term from the Kolkata Port constituency, while the BJP fielded Lt General (Retired) Subrata Saha from the Rashbehari seat in the metropolis.

Due to a surge in coronavirus cases, the EC has banned roadshows and vehicle rallies noting that COVID safety norms were being flouted in West Bengal during campaigning.

The overall turnout was 62.7% till 3 pm. 

20:47 PM (IST)  •  26 Apr 2021

15 Live Bombs Found In Ballygunge Assembly Seat

A total of 75.06 percent voter turnout was registered on Monday in phase seven of the West Bengal Assembly polls, the Election Commission said.

The poll panel noted that the turnout figures were provisional and were recorded at 5 pm when the voting was still on. Polling was held "peacefully" in 11,376 polling stations spread across 34 constituencies in West Bengal.

In a statement, the poll panel said 5,982 (52.58 percent) out of 11,376 polling stations were monitored live through webcasting.

During the ongoing elections till this phase in West Bengal, a record seizure of Rs 332.94 crore has been reported till date.

The progressive seizure of all five states/UT as of date is Rs 1,035.54 crore (this includes seizures of Rs 12.11 crore in bye-elections also).

Fifteen live bombs were found in the Ballygunge assembly seat with the help of the bomb squad and a fog squad.

On a tip-off, 19 crude bombs were recovered in two bags near Hooghly Jute Mill Colony with the assistance of the Bomb Disposal Squad. Two miscreants carrying seven improvised country made serviceable guns and a "single barrel long musket gun" were arrested in Malda district, the statement said.

A total of 11,376 Ballot Units (BUs), 11,376 Control Units(CUs) and 11,376 VVPATs were used in West Bengal during this phase.

"Non-functioning rate of EVMs and VVPATs during the poll is comparable to what was experienced in the last few polls," it said.

One CU, at least one BU and one paper trail machine makes for one EVM. (PTI)

19:30 PM (IST)  •  26 Apr 2021

Peaceful Polling Held, Says ECI

"Peaceful polling held in 11,376 polling stations across 34 ACs in Phase 7 of the West Bengal Assembly elections. 75.06 Percent voter turnout recorded till 5 pm. During the ongoing polls till this phase, seizure of Rs. 332.94 Crores was reported,": Election Commission of India stated.