Polling officials seal EVM and VVPAT as voting for the seventh phase of the West Bengal Elections concludes.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Murshidabad: Polling officials seal EVM and VVPAT as voting for the seventh phase of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WestBengalElections2021?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">#WestBengalElections2021</a> concludes <a href="https://t.co/cruUJFBcjU">pic.twitter.com/cruUJFBcjU</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1386668411653017613?ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">April 26, 2021</a></blockquote>

<script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script>

Polling officials seal EVM and VVPAT as voting for the seventh phase of the West Bengal Elections concludes.

Murshidabad: Polling officials seal EVM and VVPAT as voting for the seventh phase of the #WestBengalElections2021 concludes pic.twitter.com/cruUJFBcjU
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2021




75.06 per cent voter turnout recorded till 5.31 pm in the seventh phase of West Bengal polls.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
75.06&#37 voter turnout recorded till 5.31pm in the seventh phase of West Bengal Assembly elections: Election Commission of India <a href="https://t.co/3kdLMF1ueE">pic.twitter.com/3kdLMF1ueE</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1386653945548873731?ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">April 26, 2021</a></blockquote>

<script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script>

75.06 per cent voter turnout recorded till 5.31 pm in the seventh phase of West Bengal polls.

75.06&#37 voter turnout recorded till 5.31pm in the seventh phase of West Bengal Assembly elections: Election Commission of India pic.twitter.com/3kdLMF1ueE
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2021




West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee shows victory symbol after casting her vote at a polling station in Kolkata.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee shows victory symbol after she cast her vote at a polling station in Kolkata<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WestBengalElections2021?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">#WestBengalElections2021</a> <a href="https://t.co/AAAJzJQMtP">pic.twitter.com/AAAJzJQMtP</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1386628429093556226?ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">April 26, 2021</a></blockquote>

<script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script>

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee shows victory symbol after casting her vote at a polling station in Kolkata.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee shows victory symbol after she cast her vote at a polling station in Kolkata#WestBengalElections2021 pic.twitter.com/AAAJzJQMtP
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2021




67.27 per cent voter turnout recorded till 3.31pm.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
67.27&#37 voter turnout recorded till 3.31pm in the seventh phase of West Bengal Assembly elections <a href="https://t.co/WrP2xzEkpY">pic.twitter.com/WrP2xzEkpY</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1386622549455380481?ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">April 26, 2021</a></blockquote>

<script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script>

67.27 per cent voter turnout recorded till 3.31pm.

67.27&#37 voter turnout recorded till 3.31pm in the seventh phase of West Bengal Assembly elections pic.twitter.com/WrP2xzEkpY
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2021




55.12 per cent voter turnout recorded till 1 pm.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
55.12&#37 voter turnout recorded till 1:32 PM, for the seventh phase of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WestBengalPolls?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">#WestBengalPolls</a> <a href="https://t.co/TYX3ublXBc">pic.twitter.com/TYX3ublXBc</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1386591830746177536?ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">April 26, 2021</a></blockquote>

<script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script>

55.12 per cent voter turnout recorded till 1 pm.

55.12&#37 voter turnout recorded till 1:32 PM, for the seventh phase of #WestBengalPolls pic.twitter.com/TYX3ublXBc
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2021




37.72 per cent voter turnout till 12 pm
The voter turnout for the seventh and penultimate phase of the high-stakes West Bengal assembly elections reached 37.72 per cent at 12 pm.
Among the districts, Murshidabad recorded the highest turnout with 42.41 per cent, while Malda and Dakshin Dinajpur registered 39.96 per cent and 39.70 per cent respectively.
Chanchal recorded the highest percentage of voters among all constituencies at 48 per cent while Rashbehari and Bhowanipore recorded 27.45 per cent and 28.31 per cent respectively.

37.72 per cent voter turnout till 12 pm
The voter turnout for the seventh and penultimate phase of the high-stakes West Bengal assembly elections reached 37.72 per cent at 12 pm.
Among the districts, Murshidabad recorded the highest turnout with 42.41 per cent, while Malda and Dakshin Dinajpur registered 39.96 per cent and 39.70 per cent respectively.
Chanchal recorded the highest percentage of voters among all constituencies at 48 per cent while Rashbehari and Bhowanipore recorded 27.45 per cent and 28.31 per cent respectively.

17.95 per cent polling recorded till 10 am
Heavy polling was recorded in the first three hours in the seventh phase of Bengal Assembly elections where people of 34 constituencies across five districts are out to exercise their franchise. According to the initial data released by the Election Commission, the state recorded a voter turnout of 17.95 per cent with Murshidabad district recording the highest polling of 19.53 per cent.
According to the data, South Kolkata where polling is being held in 4 constituencies, recorded the lowest of 13.07 per cent. Malda with 6 constituencies recorded a polling of 18.85 per cent followed by South Dinajpur where 18.77 per cent polling was recorded from the 6 constituencies and the 9 constituencies of West Burdwan recorded a polling of 17.24 per cent.
As far as individual constituencies are concerned, Gazole in Malda district recorded the highest polling of 20.56 per cent and Pandaveshwar in West Burdwan recorded the lowest turnout of only 11 per cent.
However, there were some small incidents reported in the first three hours of polling though overall the polling process remained peaceful. The first incident was reported at 9.50 a.m. in Rashbehari constituency in South Kolkata where Trinamool Congress candidate Debashis Kumar alleged that he was not allowed to enter the booth by the central forces. At 10.03 a.m. BJP candidate from Raninagar Masuhara Khatun alleged attack on her car by TMC activists. In both the cases administration reacted promptly and took the situation under control swiftly.

17.95 per cent polling recorded till 10 am
Heavy polling was recorded in the first three hours in the seventh phase of Bengal Assembly elections where people of 34 constituencies across five districts are out to exercise their franchise. According to the initial data released by the Election Commission, the state recorded a voter turnout of 17.95 per cent with Murshidabad district recording the highest polling of 19.53 per cent.
According to the data, South Kolkata where polling is being held in 4 constituencies, recorded the lowest of 13.07 per cent. Malda with 6 constituencies recorded a polling of 18.85 per cent followed by South Dinajpur where 18.77 per cent polling was recorded from the 6 constituencies and the 9 constituencies of West Burdwan recorded a polling of 17.24 per cent.
As far as individual constituencies are concerned, Gazole in Malda district recorded the highest polling of 20.56 per cent and Pandaveshwar in West Burdwan recorded the lowest turnout of only 11 per cent.
However, there were some small incidents reported in the first three hours of polling though overall the polling process remained peaceful. The first incident was reported at 9.50 a.m. in Rashbehari constituency in South Kolkata where Trinamool Congress candidate Debashis Kumar alleged that he was not allowed to enter the booth by the central forces. At 10.03 a.m. BJP candidate from Raninagar Masuhara Khatun alleged attack on her car by TMC activists. In both the cases administration reacted promptly and took the situation under control swiftly.

Distribution of sanitiser among voters at the polling stations under 159 Bhabanipur Assembly constituency.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Distribution of sanitizer among Voters' at the Polling Station No. 196 &amp; 197 under 159 Bhabanipur Assembly Constituency of Kolkata South Election District.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WestBengalElections2021?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">#WestBengalElections2021</a><a href="https://twitter.com/ECISVEEP?ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">@ECISVEEP</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SpokespersonECI?ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">@SpokespersonECI</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/rajivkumarec?ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">@rajivkumarec</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PIBKolkata?ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">@PIBKolkata</a>. <a href="https://t.co/jTdQwyN1Qu">pic.twitter.com/jTdQwyN1Qu</a>
&mdash; CEO West Bengal (@CEOWestBengal) <a href="https://twitter.com/CEOWestBengal/status/1386531105470251013?ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">April 26, 2021</a></blockquote>

<script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script>

Distribution of sanitiser among voters at the polling stations under 159 Bhabanipur Assembly constituency.

Distribution of sanitizer among Voters' at the Polling Station No. 196 &amp; 197 under 159 Bhabanipur Assembly Constituency of Kolkata South Election District.#WestBengalElections2021@ECISVEEP @SpokespersonECI @rajivkumarec @PIBKolkata. pic.twitter.com/jTdQwyN1Qu
&mdash; CEO West Bengal (@CEOWestBengal) April 26, 2021




Agnimitra Paul, BJP candidate from Asansol Dakshin Assembly constituency in Paschim Bardhaman, says the TMC polling agent was wearing a cap with CM's photo on it, at the polling booth in Baktarnagar High School. "Presiding officer says that he's unwell and didn't see it," she said.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
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: Agnimitra Paul, BJP <a href="https://t.co/7qIdx37SJd">pic.twitter.com/7qIdx37SJd</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1386546252481925121?ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">April 26, 2021</a></blockquote>

<script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script>

Agnimitra Paul, BJP candidate from Asansol Dakshin Assembly constituency in Paschim Bardhaman, says the TMC polling agent was wearing a cap with CM's photo on it, at the polling booth in Baktarnagar High School. "Presiding officer says that he's unwell and didn't see it," she 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: Agnimitra Paul, BJP pic.twitter.com/7qIdx37SJd
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2021




Electors at polling station no. 117 (Tagore Primary School) under 64- Murshidaabad Assembly constituency of Murshidabad district.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Duty for Democracy: Electors at Polling Station No. 117 (Tagore Primary School) under 64- Murshidaabad Assembly Constituency of Murshidabad District.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WestBengalElections2021?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">#WestBengalElections2021</a><a href="https://twitter.com/ECISVEEP?ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">@ECISVEEP</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SpokespersonECI?ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">@SpokespersonECI</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/rajivkumarec?ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">@rajivkumarec</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PIBKolkata?ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">@PIBKolkata</a>. <a href="https://t.co/lgV0qmeUuN">pic.twitter.com/lgV0qmeUuN</a>
&mdash; CEO West Bengal (@CEOWestBengal) <a href="https://twitter.com/CEOWestBengal/status/1386524185736880132?ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">April 26, 2021</a></blockquote>

<script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script>

Electors at polling station no. 117 (Tagore Primary School) under 64- Murshidaabad Assembly constituency of Murshidabad district.

Duty for Democracy: Electors at Polling Station No. 117 (Tagore Primary School) under 64- Murshidaabad Assembly Constituency of Murshidabad District.#WestBengalElections2021@ECISVEEP @SpokespersonECI @rajivkumarec @PIBKolkata. pic.twitter.com/lgV0qmeUuN
&mdash; CEO West Bengal (@CEOWestBengal) April 26, 2021




TMC MP Nusrat Jahan Ruhi and her parents cast vote at a polling booth in Kolkata.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Wherever I've been campaigning I've seen people's support for only one face-our CM's...Why was EC sleeping all this while? When PM decided he won't hold any public meetings, EC decided to call off all public meetings. It listens to PM &amp; HM more than anyone else: Nusrat Jahan Ruhi <a href="https://t.co/cg7Lp1xwxc">pic.twitter.com/cg7Lp1xwxc</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1386527627171692545?ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">April 26, 2021</a></blockquote>

<script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script>

TMC MP Nusrat Jahan Ruhi and her parents cast vote at a polling booth in Kolkata.

Wherever I've been campaigning I've seen people's support for only one face-our CM's...Why was EC sleeping all this while? When PM decided he won't hold any public meetings, EC decided to call off all public meetings. It listens to PM &amp; HM more than anyone else: Nusrat Jahan Ruhi pic.twitter.com/cg7Lp1xwxc
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2021




TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee cast his vote at Mitra Institution in Bhowanipore, Kolkata. He says, "Extremely confident that Mamata Banerjee will be back with 2/3rd majority...People are dying but EC is conducting 8-phase polls to benefit a party."
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee cast his vote for 7th phase of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WestBengalElections?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">#WestBengalElections</a> at Mitra Institution in Bhowanipore, Kolkata. He says, "Extremely confident that Mamata Banerjee will be back with 2/3rd majority...People are dying but EC is conducting 8-phase polls to benefit a party" <a href="https://t.co/KOL3QfQc7J">pic.twitter.com/KOL3QfQc7J</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1386511961907613698?ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">April 26, 2021</a></blockquote>

<script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script>

TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee cast his vote at Mitra Institution in Bhowanipore, Kolkata. He says, "Extremely confident that Mamata Banerjee will be back with 2/3rd majority...People are dying but EC is conducting 8-phase polls to benefit a party."

TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee cast his vote for 7th phase of #WestBengalElections at Mitra Institution in Bhowanipore, Kolkata. He says, "Extremely confident that Mamata Banerjee will be back with 2/3rd majority...People are dying but EC is conducting 8-phase polls to benefit a party" pic.twitter.com/KOL3QfQc7J
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2021




TMC candidate from Bhowanipore constituency, Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay, cast his vote at the polling booth at Manmatha Nath Nandan Boys And Girls School.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
He says, "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. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WestBengalPolls?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">#WestBengalPolls</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1386504976420130816?ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">April 26, 2021</a></blockquote>

<script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script>

TMC candidate from Bhowanipore constituency, Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay, cast his vote at the polling booth at Manmatha Nath Nandan Boys And Girls School.

He says, "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. #WestBengalPolls
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2021




BJP candidate from Ratua constituency, Abhishek Singhania, cast vote at Samsi Primary School. "Ratua is the most backward constituency in Malda. The local MLA is a migrant MLA as he comes only to get votes," he said.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
BJP candidate from Ratua constituency in Malda cast his vote for 7th phase of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WestBengalPolls?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">#WestBengalPolls</a>, at Samsi Primary School. He says, "Ratua is the most backward constituency in Malda. The local MLA is a migrant MLA as he comes only to get votes. People have decided to go with BJP." <a href="https://t.co/wyjXiu0K7x">pic.twitter.com/wyjXiu0K7x</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1386499747762954242?ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">April 26, 2021</a></blockquote>

<script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script>

BJP candidate from Ratua constituency, Abhishek Singhania, cast vote at Samsi Primary School. "Ratua is the most backward constituency in Malda. The local MLA is a migrant MLA as he comes only to get votes," he said.

BJP candidate from Ratua constituency in Malda cast his vote for 7th phase of #WestBengalPolls, at Samsi Primary School. He says, "Ratua is the most backward constituency in Malda. The local MLA is a migrant MLA as he comes only to get votes. People have decided to go with BJP." pic.twitter.com/wyjXiu0K7x
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2021




Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted to urge voters to vote in large numbers.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The seventh phase of the West Bengal elections takes place today. Urging people to exercise their franchise and follow all COVID-19 related protocols.
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1386489661229469699?ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">April 26, 2021</a></blockquote>

<script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted to urge voters to vote in large numbers.

The seventh phase of the West Bengal elections takes place today. Urging people to exercise their franchise and follow all COVID-19 related protocols.
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 26, 2021




Women poling personnel at the model polling station (Birudiha Secondary School) under 276 Durgapur Purba Assembly constituency of Paschim Bardhaman district.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Grand welcome to the Women Poling Personnel at the Model Polling Station (Birudiha Secondary School) under 276 Durgapur Purba Assembly Constituency of Paschim Bardhaman District. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WestBengalElections2021?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">#WestBengalElections2021</a><a href="https://twitter.com/ECISVEEP?ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">@ECISVEEP</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SpokespersonECI?ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">@SpokespersonECI</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/rajivkumarec?ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">@rajivkumarec</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PIBKolkata?ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">@PIBKolkata</a> <a href="https://t.co/tzHb9FyXmu">pic.twitter.com/tzHb9FyXmu</a>
&mdash; CEO West Bengal (@CEOWestBengal) <a href="https://twitter.com/CEOWestBengal/status/1386485427868110849?ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">April 26, 2021</a></blockquote>

<script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script>

Women poling personnel at the model polling station (Birudiha Secondary School) under 276 Durgapur Purba Assembly constituency of Paschim Bardhaman district.

Grand welcome to the Women Poling Personnel at the Model Polling Station (Birudiha Secondary School) under 276 Durgapur Purba Assembly Constituency of Paschim Bardhaman District. #WestBengalElections2021@ECISVEEP @SpokespersonECI @rajivkumarec @PIBKolkata pic.twitter.com/tzHb9FyXmu
&mdash; CEO West Bengal (@CEOWestBengal) April 26, 2021




People cast their votes at Samsi Primary School - designated as booth number 142/142 A - in Ratua constituency of Malda district.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
People cast their votes for the seventh phase of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WestBengalElections2021?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">#WestBengalElections2021</a> today. Visuals from Samsi Primary School - designated as booth number 142/142 A - in Ratua constituency of Malda district. <a href="https://t.co/IhLUl6j147">pic.twitter.com/IhLUl6j147</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1386496111041400832?ref_src=twsrc-Etfw">April 26, 2021</a></blockquote>

<script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script>

People cast their votes at Samsi Primary School - designated as booth number 142/142 A - in Ratua constituency of Malda district.

People cast their votes for the seventh phase of #WestBengalElections2021 today. Visuals from Samsi Primary School - designated as booth number 142/142 A - in Ratua constituency of Malda district. pic.twitter.com/IhLUl6j147
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2021




WEST BENGAL
Over 86 lakh voters in West Bengal will decide the political fate of 284 candidates on Monday, when 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.
Security measures have been heightened in view of the violence in the previous phases, particularly the death of five people in Cooch Behar in the fourth round of polling on April 10, an Election Commission official said.
The poll panel has decided to deploy at least 796 companies of central forces in the seventh phase to ensure free and fair voting, he said.
It will also put in place measures to ensure strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols during the voting process, the official said.
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.
Chattopadhyay is pitted against a seasoned actor but a greenhorn in electoral politics, Rudranil Ghosh, who left the ruling party a few months ago to join the BJP.
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.
Campaigning for the seventh phase has been a low-key affair, following curbs imposed by the EC in the wake of the second wave of COVID-19 cases in the state.
Following the surge in coronavirus cases across the country, the EC has banned roadshows and vehicle rallies in the state and noted that the COVID safety norms were being flouted in West Bengal during campaigning.
It also disallowed any public meeting with more than 500 people.
The Election Commission has curtailed daily campaign hours and extended the "silence period" from 48 hours to 72 in each of the remaining three phases of the assembly polls in view of the Cooch Behar violence and the rising COVID-19 cases.
The TMC chief and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee, who is the party MP, cancelled all their scheduled rallies and held them on the virtual platform as did Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 23.
Polling for two assembly seats in Samserganj and Jangipur in Murshidabad district has been declared void following the deaths of two candidates there.
The Election Commission has fixed May 16 for the polling in these two seats.

WEST BENGAL
Over 86 lakh voters in West Bengal will decide the political fate of 284 candidates on Monday, when 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.
Security measures have been heightened in view of the violence in the previous phases, particularly the death of five people in Cooch Behar in the fourth round of polling on April 10, an Election Commission official said.
The poll panel has decided to deploy at least 796 companies of central forces in the seventh phase to ensure free and fair voting, he said.
It will also put in place measures to ensure strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols during the voting process, the official said.
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.
Chattopadhyay is pitted against a seasoned actor but a greenhorn in electoral politics, Rudranil Ghosh, who left the ruling party a few months ago to join the BJP.
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.
Campaigning for the seventh phase has been a low-key affair, following curbs imposed by the EC in the wake of the second wave of COVID-19 cases in the state.
Following the surge in coronavirus cases across the country, the EC has banned roadshows and vehicle rallies in the state and noted that the COVID safety norms were being flouted in West Bengal during campaigning.
It also disallowed any public meeting with more than 500 people.
The Election Commission has curtailed daily campaign hours and extended the "silence period" from 48 hours to 72 in each of the remaining three phases of the assembly polls in view of the Cooch Behar violence and the rising COVID-19 cases.
The TMC chief and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee, who is the party MP, cancelled all their scheduled rallies and held them on the virtual platform as did Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 23.
Polling for two assembly seats in Samserganj and Jangipur in Murshidabad district has been declared void following the deaths of two candidates there.
The Election Commission has fixed May 16 for the polling in these two seats.

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 poll panel has decided to deploy at least 796 companies of central forces in the seventh phase to ensure free and fair voting.

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Assembly elections 2021: 75.06 per cent polling recorded till 5.30 pm in WB

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Assembly elections 2021: 75.06 per cent polling recorded till 5.30 pm in WB

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