2048 Voters undergo thermal screening for as part of precautions against COVID-19 as they stand in a queue to cast their votes at a polling station during the third phase of West Bengal Assembly elections, at Baruipur in South 24 Parganas district, on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. PTI
Kolkata, April 6
Five candidates, including two women, were assaulted, while clashes between rival political groups erupted during the third phase of polling in West Bengal on Tuesday.
However, despite the violence, voter enthusiasm was high with 77.68 per cent of voters casting their ballots till 5 pm, two hours before polling ended.
Polls were conducted with strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols, officials said.
"TMC goons are not allowing people to cast their votes at booth number 180 and 143 Dagira Baduldanga. I have complained to the Election Commission officials," Dipak Haldar said.
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Kolkata, April 6
Sporadic incidents of violence were reported on Tuesday in some areas where voting is under way in the third phase of the West Bengal Assembly election, even as the overall situation by and large remained peaceful with 34.71 per cent turnout recorded till 11 am, officials said.
Voting is under way with strict adherence to Covid protocols in 16 seats in South 24 Parganas district (part II), seven in Howrah (part I) and eight in Hooghly (part I), they said. Voter turnout of 34.71 per cent was recorded till 11 am on 31 seats, an EC official said.
Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee alleged blatant misuse of central forces to influence voters .
Elections 2021 Live Updates: Smooth Polling Underway In 4 States, Puducherry In Busiest Election Day Elections 2021 Live Updates: Smooth Polling Underway In 4 States, Puducherry In Busiest Election Day Assembly Election 2021 Voting LIVE Updates: Polling for all constituencies will begin at 7 am and finish at 6 pm. The results of all five elections will be declared on May 2.
Elections 2021: A CRPF personnel carries an elderly voter to a polling booth in Bengal.
New Delhi:
Over 30% of the eligible voters have exercised their franchise in West Bengal, Kerala And Assam till 11 am. The union territory of Puducherry has seen an impressive turnout of 35-59% so far. Tamil Nadu - where polls are being held in single phase - has recorded a turnout of 20.84% in the first five hours of polling.
WB Polls: 78pc turnout amid sporadic clashes in 3rd phase Agencies Agencies
An estimated 78 percent turnout was recorded despite sporadic incidents of violence and stray clashes in the polling for the third phase of West Bengal assembly elections for 31 seats yesterday.
West Bengal in India was the most important, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi s Hindu-nationalist BJP party attempting to win power there for the first time in what would be a major symbolic victory.
The state, home to about 90 million people, has seen thousands killed in decades of political violence, and the current campaign has triggered deadly clashes between supporters of the BJP and the ruling TMC party.