Voting commenced on Thursday in the first phase of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections, in which 152 seats will be contested, under tight security measures and keenly contested politics.
The voting was held starting at 7 am when people queued before booths in various areas such as Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Murshidabad, Nadia, Birbhum and Hooghly. More than 50 percent of the total number of 294 seats of the assembly are being contested in this phase, making it a key stage for BJP and ruling AITC parties.
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According to the Election Commission of India, over 3.6 crore voters are eligible to cast their votes in this phase, including approximately 1.75 crore women and 465 third-gender electors.
Early turnout figures showed 18.76 per cent voting recorded till 9 am, as per official data.
Heavy deployment, heightened vigilance
Security has been significantly ramped up, with around 2,450 companies of central paramilitary forces—nearly 2.5 lakh personnel—deployed across the state. More than 8,000 polling stations have been marked as highly sensitive.
Districts such as Malda, Murshidabad, Uttar Dinajpur, Cooch Behar, Birbhum and Purba Bardhaman have been placed under special surveillance. Authorities have also deployed over 2,000 quick response teams, flying squads and surveillance units to ensure smooth polling.
EC seeks report over intimidation allegations
Meanwhile, the Election Commission has sought a report following allegations of voter intimidation in Domkal in Murshidabad district, PTI reported.
People living in some regions of Domkal, including villagers from Raipur, said that they were intimidated and stopped from reaching the voting booths. They added that they saw armed men around their locality earlier in the morning, making them fearful.
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However, according to officials, the situation got better later when police and central forces were brought out in larger numbers. People were guided to the polling booth under police protection.
West Bengal Assembly polls will be conducted in two phases on April 23 and April 29. The counting process will take place on May 4. The result is likely to decide the future of West Bengal politics, with the ruling TMC seeking a fourth term in power against the BJP.
