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. 

26/04/2021 20:47:45

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)

26/04/2021 19:30:35

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.

26/04/2021 18:35:27

West Bengal Elections: 75 Percent Polling Recorded In Phase 7

The total Poll percentage in West Bengal is reported to be 75.06 percent. Here are details reported from districts that underwent polling:

South Dinajpur: 80.21 Percent
Malda: 78.76 Percent
Murshidabad: 80.30 Percent
Kolkata: 59.91 Percent
West Burdwan: 70.34 Percent

26/04/2021 18:06:12

75.06 Percent Voter Turnout Recorded Till 5 PM

75.06 percent voter turnout was recorded till 5 pm in 34 assembly seats where polling is underway in the seventh phase.

26/04/2021 17:45:07

BJP Candidate's Agent Detained For Allegedly Molesting Women Voters In Kolkata

BJP candidate from the Rashbehari assembly constituency Lt Gen Subrata Saha's agent was detained on Monday for allegedly molesting a few women voters inside a polling booth in the city's New Alipore area, police said.

Mohan Rao was detained after several women voters claimed he tried to drag them holding their hands inside Bidya Bharati School, a police officer said.

"We have received a complaint in this regard and a probe is underway," he said.

Rao, however, rubbished the allegations and said no such incident had taken place.

"TMC activists are trying to create disturbance in the area. This is a deliberate attempt to disrupt the peaceful polling process," Saha said. (PTI)

26/04/2021 16:25:08

CM Mamata Banerjee Welcomes Madras HC Order, Says EC Can't Escape Responsibility For Covid Spike

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has welcomed Madras High Court's statement holding the Election Commission responsible for the spread of Covid-19. “Welcome Madras HC order which says EC cannot escape responsibility for the Covid spike during polls,” she was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

The Madras High Court on Monday stated that the Election Commission of India (ECI) is singularly responsible for spreading Covid-19 and murder charges should probably be imposed on its officials for its “irresponsible” behaviour.

She has also demanded the withdrawal of central forces in the next phase of polling to contain the Covid spread in West Bengal.

26/04/2021 15:51:23

WB Elections, 7th Phase: 62.7% voter turnout recorded till 3 PM

The turnout was 62.7 percent till 3 pm.

• South Dinajpur 72.56 percent


• Malda 80.14 percent


• Murshidabad 62.6 percent


• Kolkata South 52.96 percent


• West Burdwan 62.42 per cent

26/04/2021 14:13:04

WB Elections, 7th Phase: 55.12% voter turnout recorded till 1 PM

The overall turnout was 55.12 per cent till 1 pm.

• South Dinajpur polled 56.83 per cent


• Malda 56.10 per cent


• Murshidabad 60.50 per cent


• South Kolkata 41.6 per cent


• West Burdwan 50.46 per cent

26/04/2021 13:34:47

Ghosh is making excuses sensing defeat: Agnimitra Paul

A few incidents of scuffle were reported from the Asansol area, where TMC candidate Sayoni Ghosh claimed that BJP activists tried to jam booths in her constituency. The allegation was dubbed as baseless by BJP candidate Agnimitra Paul.

Meanwhile, in Rash Behari constituency after BJP candidate Lt Gen (retd) Subrata Saha's agent was accused of molesting women voters inside a polling booth, police said. Mohan Rao was detained after several women voters claimed he tried to drag them holding their hands inside Bidya Bharati School, a police officer said. Rao, however, rubbished the allegations and said no such incident had taken place.

In the Jamuria constituency, Left Front candidate Aishe Ghosh alleged that her party agents were stopped from entering the booth by TMC workers, a charge denied by the ruling party.

26/04/2021 13:16:30

WB Elections, 7th Phase: Trinamool couple attacked with blade; TMC blames Congress

Trinamool alleges that Congress-backed miscreants were behind assault with a blade of a Trinamool couple on their way to the polls in Maldar Chanchal.  However, Congress has denied the allegations. The commission said the vote had nothing to do with the incident. The incident took place due to a family dispute.

26/04/2021 13:15:00

WB Elections, 7th Phase: Allegations against the forces for vandalism of Trinamool camp office in Habibpur

Trinamool camp office vandalized at booth number 220 of Girija Sundari High School in Habibpur. Allegations of assault are against central forces. Protests by grassroots activists.

26/04/2021 12:48:16

WB Elections, 7th Phase: 37.72% voter turnout recorded till 11:30 AM

37.72% voter turnout recorded till 11:36 AM, for the seventh phase of West Bengal Polls amid surging Covid cases. 

District Tally: 

Dakshin Dinajpur - 39.59
Malda - 40.15
Murshidabad - 42.43
Kolkata - 27.56
West Bardhaman - 34.17

26/04/2021 11:14:12

They forcefully pushed me out. I was threatened by them: Sankar Sakar, BJP agent

Sankar Sakar, BJP polling agent told ANI "I am an agent at booth number 91. Members of TMC, who are residents of the village, told me that they won't let me there as I'm not a voter there. They forcefully pushed me out. I was threatened by them".

26/04/2021 10:38:54

Will complain about this: Agnimitra Paul, BJP

Agnimitra Paul, BJP candidate from Asansol Dakshin Assembly constituency in Paschim Bardhaman says that TMC polling agent was wearing a cap with CM's photo on it, at polling booth in Baktarnagar High School. She says, "Presiding officer says that he's unwell & didn't see it". 

Reacting to this Paul said, "EC has said that you can't wear anything that has your party's symbol or a political leader's picture. This is Mamata Banerjee's trick. She knows people won't vote for her. Her time is up. The agent says that he didn't know about it. I will complain."

26/04/2021 10:04:00

EC listens to PM & HM more than anyone else: Nusrat Jahan Ruhi

TMC MP Nusrat Jahan Ruhi and her parents cast vote at a polling booth in Kolkata.

26/04/2021 09:40:38

17.47% voter turnout recorded till 9:32 AM

17.47% voter turnout recorded till 9:32 AM for the seventh phase of the West Bengal Assembly Elections in which 34 constituencies are up for grabs.

26/04/2021 08:29:21

WB Elections, 7th Phase LIVE: TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee cast his vote at Mitra Institution in Bhowanipore, Kolkata

TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee cast his vote for 7th phase, he is confident of his party's win in this election.

26/04/2021 08:00:55

WB Elections, 7th Phase Live: Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay Exercise His Franchise

TMC candidate, Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay who is contesting from Mamata Banerjee's home turf Bhawanipore casts his vote, He said, "People will vote for Mamata Banerjee, her projects, her development has reached all homes. This election is being held on those issues. I have been in politics since 1962. This is the first time I am voting for myself. " 

26/04/2021 07:48:34

WB Elections Live: PM Modi Urges People To Vote Following Covid Protocols

The seventh phase of the West Bengal elections takes place today. Urging people to exercise their franchise and follow all COVID-19 related protocols: PM Narendra Modi

26/04/2021 07:42:29

WB Elections, 7th Phase LIVE: 34 constituencies to go to polls

With polling over for 222 seats in six phases, the voting has entered the last leg in West Bengal. For another 34 seats, polling is underway. This is the seventh and second last phase of the West Bengal assembly election 2021.

In the seventh phase, 36 seats were scheduled to go for polls but voting was deferred in two constituencies following the death of two candidates in Jangipur and Samserganj. These two seats will go to the polls on May 16, and the results for these two seats will be declared on May 19.