West Bengal Election 2021: The voters will choose among 283 candidates, 35 of whom are women. (File)
New Delhi: The eighth and final phase of voting is being held in Bengal today amid the growing menace of Covid that is spreading fast in the state. The election is being held on 35 seats lying across Malda, Murshidabad, Birbhum and Kolkata.
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Six seats in Malda, 11 each in Murshidabad and Birbhum and seven seats in Kolkata are voting in this phase. Polling is being held across 11,860 centres. The voters will choose among 283 candidates, 35 of whom are women.
Two ministers Shashi Panji and Sadhan Pande - are seeking re-election in this phase. All eyes are on Birbhum district, which has a history of poll-related violence.
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Kolkata, April 29
Stray incidents of violence were reported on Thursday from several areas where voting is under way for the eighth and last phase of Assembly election in Bengal, but the overall polling process has been peaceful with 37.8 per cent turnout till 11 am, EC officials said.
Voting is being held in 11,860 polling stations of 35 constituencies - 11 each in Murshidabad and Birbhum, six in Malda and seven in north Kolkata.
Earlier in the day, one person was killed and two others injured as a car hit them in Murshidabad district, triggering tension in the area, a police officer said.
The CPI(M) alleged that its member Kader Mondal (42) was killed, and two others - Asim Al Mamoon (43) and Lal Chand Mondal (42) - sustained injuries after TMC candidate Jafikul Islam ran his car over them.
Highlights
The eighth phase of the assembly poll in West Bengal on Thursday brought to an end the protracted voting schedule in the state
The last phase of the Assembly poll witnessed sporadic violence, assault of candidates, and death of a person during the day
Kolkata: The eighth phase of the assembly poll in West Bengal on Thursday (April 29) brought to an end the protracted voting schedule in the state. The last phase of the Assembly poll witnessed sporadic violence, assault of candidates, and death of a person during the day.
Voter turnout of 76.07 per cent was recorded till 5 pm in 35 constituencies where polling was conducted on Thursday and is expected to go up further after the polling ends at 6.30 PM, said a PTI report citing the Election Commission sources.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed people of Bengal to vote while following Covid protocols.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed people of Bengal to cast their votes to enrich the festival of democracy while following Covid-19 protocols as polling for the eighth and last phase of assembly elections began at 7 am Thursday. Voting on 35 seats in West Bengal is being held amid the surging second wave of COVID-19. Last phase of the 2021 West Bengal elections takes place today. In line with the COVID-19 protocols, I call upon people to cast their vote and enrich the festival of democracy, PM Modi said in his tweet.