While about 80 per cent voters in 34 Assembly segments of West Bengal exercised their adult franchise on Monday (April 26) amidst tight security arrangements and apprehension of corona virus, people voted to elect their grass-roots representatives in 20 districts of Uttar Pradesh under the lurking fear of pandemic. Voting was largely peaceful in West Bengal but it was marred by sporadic incident of firing in Uttar Pradesh. Most of these 20 districts which went for the third phase of Panchayat poll fall in central and western parts of the state.
Incidentally, the polling in UP took place a day after the state reported 35,311 cases of COVID-19 and 206 deaths.
In West Bengal brisk and heavy polling was reported in the small towns and villages but the response was somewhat lukewarm in Kolkata, largely because the pandemic is, in general, causing more havoc in the congested areas of cities.
The seat which went to poll included Bhawanipore, which chief minister Mamata Banerjee is till now representing. After casting her vote, she expressed hope that the Trinamool Congress will win the election.
Actually 36 Assembly segments were to go to poll in West Bengal on Monday, but polling in two of them has been postponed due to the death of candidates from COVID-19.
In the last 24 hours the state had reported 15,889 cases of corona positive and 57 deaths.
Polling for the rest of the 35 Assembly seats will be held on April 29.
