Heavy polling was reported in the fifth phase of election for 45 Assembly seats in West Bengal, which was marred by sporadic incidents of violence.
Interim reports quoting the Election Commission said that 78 per cent voters cast their votes till 5:00 PM on April 17. The final figure would certainly be over 80 per cent.
It was feared that the sudden rise in cases of corona and firing by the Central Industrial Security Force personnel during the fourth phase of poll in Cooch Behar may compel many people to stay at home. But that did not happen as a large number of voters, including women, came out to vote.
Though the voters in general wore masks, but maintaining social distancing was not possible in such a situation.
Women outnumbered men at many booths. As women in general repose more faith on Mamata Banerjee, the Trinamool Congress is feeling satisfied with the turnout of voters.
With Saturday’s election over, polling in 180 out of 294 seats has been completed.
Clashes between the supporters of BJP and TMC were reported from Bidhannagar assembly constituency near Kolkata. Two TMC workers were injured as a result.
While people of north and south Bengal were exercising their franchise on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed two election rallies at Asansol and Gangarampur and Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a roadshow and an election meeting in Nadia district of the state.
