WB Polls Phase 3: Voting Concludes, 77.68% Turnout Till 5:30 pm
Ballots were cast in 31 seats spread across three districts — South 24 Parganas, Howrah, and Hooghly.
advertisement
With a turnout of 77.68 percent recorded till 5:30 pm, voting in the third phase of the West Bengal Assembly Elections ended on Tuesday, 6 April. Ballots were cast in 31 seats spread across three districts — 16 in South 24 Parganas, seven in Howrah, and eight in Hooghly.
While the polling was underway, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) filed a complaint with the Election Commission after party MLA and candidate from Arambagh Sujata Mondal was attacked in her constituency. Earlier during the day, a row erupted after EVMs and VVPATs were found at the residence of a TMC leader in Howrah’s Uluberia.
- 77.68% voting has been recorded till 5:30 pm
- Thirty-one seats across three districts – South 24 Parganas, Howrah, and Hooghly – are casting their ballots.
- Most of these seats are traditional TMC bastions with the party having won 29 of them in the 2016 Assembly elections
- Key candidates in the fray include Dr Nirmal Maji (TMC), Swapan Dasgupta (BJP), and Kanti Ganguly (CPI-M), among others
- A sector officer was suspended after EVMs and VVPATs were found at the residence of a TMC leader in Howrah’s Uluberia.
- Union Minister Prakash Javedekar slammed the TMC and demanded an inquiry by the ECI in the matter.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)
TMC Bastions Casting Their Ballot
Most of the 31 Assembly constituencies going to the polls in the third phase of the elections are traditional TMC bastions. The party had won 29 of these 31 seats in the 2016 Assembly elections and 26 in 2011.
16 Seats in South 24 Parganas
The sixteen seats voting from South 24 Parganas include Basanti, Kultali, Kulpi, Raidighi, Mandirbazar, Jainagar, Baruipur Purba, Canning Paschim, Canning Purba, Baruipur Paschim, Magrahat Purba, Magrahat Paschim, Diamond Harbour, Falta, Satgachhia, and Bishnupur.
Voting Begins
Voting begins in 31 constituencies for the third phase of West Bengal Assembly Elections
"Confident," Says Swapan Dasgupta As Voting begins in His Constituency
Swapan Dasgupta, who recently joined the BJP said that he is confident about hsi victory, as polling begins in his constituency Tarakeshwar.
“It is a new experience but I'm quietly confident. I don't necessarily have to show my confidence. In terms of support I've got from people, I think I'll win,” he said, as quoted by ANI.
Voting Delayed in One Booth of Hooghly
Polling is yet to begin at booth number 129 of AC 200 in Arambag, Hooghly, according to ANI.
PM Modi Urges People to Vote in "Record Numbers"
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to urge people to vote in the states and constituencies going to polls today.
“Elections are taking place in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. I request the people in these places to vote in record numbers, particularly the young voters,” he said.
BJP's Dipak Haldar Casts Vote in Diamond Harbour
Bharatiya Janata Party candidate from Diamond Harbour in South 24 Parganas, Dipak Haldar, casts his vote.
EVMs, VVPATs Found at TMC Leader's Residence
EVMs and VVPATs were found at the residence of a TMC leader in West Bengal’s Uluberia.
“The sector officer has been suspended. It was a reserved EVM that has been removed from the election process. Severe action will be taken against all involved,” the Election Commission of India (ECI) said.
“Tapan Sarkar, sector officer of Sector 17 in AC 177 Uluberia Uttar at Howrah district, went with Reserve EVM and slept at a relative’s house.[sic.] This is a gross violation of EC’s instructions for which he has been suspended and charges will be framed for major punishment,” the EC said.
“The Sector Police attached to the sector officer has also been directed to be suspended. They said EVM and VVPAT have been taken out of the stock and shall not be used in the polls,” the EC said.
Mamata Appeals 'Maa, Maati, Manush' to Vote
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took to Twitter to appeal to people to vote in the third phase of the elections.
“My appeal to the Maa-Mati-Manush of Bengal – do exercise your democratic right to vote. Come out in large numbers and vote today,” she said.
Rahul Gandhi Urges People to Vote
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter to urge people to vote.
ISF Workers Hurling Bombs at Polling Booths, Alleges TMC MLA
TMC MLA Saokat Molla has alleged that ISF workers are hurling bombs at a polling booth in Satsa.
“I had received information that ISF workers were hurling bombs at a polling booth in Satsa. I have informed the police and complained to the Election Commission. I will go to that polling booth,” he told ANI.
“All allegations (by the BJP) are false. When a party weakens, it gives baseless statements. It is they who facilitate hooliganism, they bring money and people from outside. Whatever they say is a lie. Voters in South 24 Parganas is with the TMC and Mamata Banerjee,” he added.
'People Not Being Allowed to Cast Votes,' Alleges BJP's Dipak Haldar
Dipak Haldar, BJP candidate from Diamond Harbour of South 24 Parganas, has alleged that people are not being allowed to vote at some booths.
“The TMC goons are not allowing people to cast their votes at booth no 180, 143 Dagira Basuldanga. I have complained to the Election Commission officials,” he told ANI.
4.88% Voter Turnout till 9.11 AM
14% Voter turnout till 9.30 AM
Votes Polled for TMC Going to BJP, Alleges MLA
Sujata Mondal, TMC candidate from Arambagh, alleged that votes polled for the party at several booths are going to the BJP.
“Situation is fine at many places but not okay where we're strong. At booth 45, people voted for TMC but it's going to the BJP. In Arandi, our workers were beaten. Central Forces are also not neutral. They are telling people to vote for BJP,” she said.
Javadekar Slams TMC Over EVMs Being Found at TMC Worker's House
While addressing the media, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar slammed the TMC over EVMs and VVPATs being discovered from a TMC worker’s house in Uluberia.
“It's more serious because today is voting day. The EC has taken action not to use those machines and suspended the officer. But this may be a bigger thing than it seems. So, we demand that there should be a full inquiry of these VVPATs and EVMs found in his house,” he added.
ITBP Jawans Help Voters Across Polling Booths in West Bengal
Clashes Between BJP-TMC Workers in Arandi-I Area, Says TMC Candidate
Clashes erupted between TMC and BJP supporters in Arambag as voting in assembly elections is underway In Arandi-I area, TMC candidate from Arambagh Sujata Mondal told ANI.
She alleged that goons of the BJP threatened and tortured women, voters, last night.
34.71% Voter Turnout till 12 PM
Several Officers Suspended Over EVM Row in Uluberia
Three Assistant Sector Officers of Sector 17, 177-Uluberia North Assembly Constituency – Tapan Kumar Sarkar, Sanjib Majumdar, and Mithun Chakraborty –have been suspended for gross violation of ECI guidelines by taking reserve EVMs to their relatives' house on Monday, 5 April, according to Howrah District Election Office.
SI Sujit Chakraborty of the CID deputed in the area for law and order has also been suspended for gross negligence and callous activity in performing his duty as sector officer under Sector no 17.
53.89% Voter Turnout Recorded till 1:00 PM
Derek O'Brien Writes to EC Over Alleged Attack on MLA Sujata Mondal
TMC MP Derek O’Brien wrote to the Election Commission over party MLA Sujata Mondal being allegedly attacked by goons amid the third phase of polling.
In a video being circulated on social media, Mondal can be seen being attacked by a mob while the cops try to shield her. The alleged attack took place at Arandi-I, booth no 263 Mahallapara, according to the complaint filed by TMC MP Derek O'Brien, who alleged that the attack was carried out by “goons of the BJP.”
“Goons of the BJP attacked TMC candidate Sujata Mondal at Arandi-I booth no 263 Mahallapara. Her personal security officer has suffered injuries on the head and is in a critical state. CRPF personnel were silent spectators,” O'Brien said in the letter, as quoted by EC.
“You are called upon to apprehend the goons of BJP, ensure that no corrupt practices take place, ensure the safety of our workers/members, ensure that polls are conducted freely and fairly,” he added.
Meanwhile, BJP Bengal’s social media and IT cell member Akshay Singh shared the video, calling it “anger against the TMC".
Over 66% Voter Turnout Recorded Till 3:00 PM
This is provisional data and may be updated again shortly.
BJP's Swapan Dasgupta Accuses State Police of Cutting Votes
Ex-Rajya Sabha MP and BJP candidate from Hooghly’s Tarakeshwar Swapan Dasgupta accused the West Bengal police of cutting votes.
“They [police personnel] have hit many people & abused women with an idea to ensure that people must leave. I find it objectionable that there are West Bengal Police personnel without any name tags,” Dasgupta told ANI.
ANI also reported that some media persons and volunteers were allegedly pushed out by security personnel from the premises of a polling booth in Tarakeswar, Hooghly.
PM Modi Hits Out at Mamata at Howrah Rally
Speaking at a rally in Howrah, PM Modi alleged that the TMC’s polling agents are revolting against the party.
“The situation is such that Didi's party is not getting polling agents at polling booths. A few days back, didi was accusing EC & security forces of stopping her polling agent. Now she has accepted that her polling agents are revolting against her,” PM Modi said.
Asking people to give the BJP a chance, Modi said that “Didi has accused you of taking money and selling your votes. Do you do this? Isn't this an insult to you? You must respond to this in the elections.”
72.36% Voter Turnout Recorded Till 5:00 PM
This is provisional data and may be updated again shortly.
Voters Level Allegations Against TMC Workers
Some voters at a polling booth in Diamond Harbour constituency levelled allegations against TMC workers and said that they were not allowed to vote, according to ANI.
"Officials came here but didn't facilitate voting for us," a woman told ANI.
77.68% Voter Turnout Recorded Till 5:30 PM
This is provisional data and may be updated again shortly.
TMC Alleges Sexual Assault on Minor Girl by CRPF Jawan
The TMC has written to the Election Commission of India alleging sexual assault of a minor by a CRPF jawan in Tarakeshwar, Hooghly.
“In a gruesome and heartbreaking turn of events, the very CRPF that has been deployed to poll-bound Tarakeshwar, Hooghly to maintain the law and order, has become responsible for brutal and vicious attack on a minor, school-going girl,” the letter signed by TMC MP Derek O'Brien said.
The letter said that an official complaint and an FIR was registered with the Tarakeshwar police station.