AMN
West Bengal recorded 81 % voting while Assam see over 65% turn out in the first of the assembly polls which were by and large peaceful today.
West Bengal, state CEO, Sunil Kr. Gupta said 80.92 % votes were polled in today’s voting in the state. He was briefing media-persons in Kolkata this evening. District wise, 80.59 % voting was registered in Bankura, 81.66 % in Paschim Medinipur and 80.18 % in Purulia till 6 PM today. 14 malfunctioning EVMs were replaced during the voting at various booths today.
The CEO has recommended repolling in booth number 230 at Ranibandh in Bankura following a report received from the presiding officer that the EVM reflected wrong data during the voting today. A final decision in this regard has been requested from the Election Commission. Out of 537 complaints received during the polling, 531 have been disposed by the Commission. Several complaints were found baseless.
Polling for first phase of assembly elections in Assam in 65 constituencies concluded peacefully this evening. Over 78 per cent voter turnout was recorded in this phase till 5 PM. A total of 539 candidates are in the fray, including 43 women. Congress has fielded a total of 65 candidates, BJP has fielded 52, and AIUDF has fielded 27.
Rain played spoil sport in a few areas in Barak Valley and slowed the polling process. However, inspired voters came out in droves to exercise their franchise and seal their aspirations in ballot boxes. Long queues of people could be seen waiting in line to cast their votes in all the constituencies. Highest voter turnout was recorded at Chabua with 85.19 percent.
The last state Assembly election in 2011, conducted in two phases, had recorded 76.03 per cent voter turnout.