Kolkata: West Bengal began voting on April 23 in the first phase of its Assembly elections, taking place against the backdrop of controversy over large-scale voter deletions following a months-long Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
By 5pm, voter turnout had reached 89.93%, according to Election Commission data. The polls have been highly polarised, with reports of isolated violence emerging from Murshidabad and Dakshin Dinajpur. In one incident, the car of BJP candidate from Asansol South, Agnimitra Paul, was reportedly attacked.
Of the state’s 294 constituencies, 152 are voting in this phase. Among them, 54 are in eight North Bengal districts, while the others are spread across Murshidabad, Nadia, Birbhum, and Hooghly.
This phase is seen as crucial for the BJP to assess whether North Bengal remains a stronghold or if the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has regained ground. The Nandigram seat is drawing particular attention, where BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari is contesting against former associate Pabitra Kar, now a TMC candidate.
The issue of voter deletions has been significant, with over 91 lakh names removed from the electoral rolls during the SIR process—reducing the electorate by nearly 12% ahead of the elections. Murshidabad recorded the highest deletions at over 7.48 lakh, followed by Nadia (4.85 lakh), Malda (4.59 lakh), Cooch Behar (2.42 lakh), and Uttar Dinajpur (3.63 lakh). A day before polling, the Election Commission added 139 names back to the rolls after tribunal clearance.
Throughout the day, voter turnout steadily increased – from 18.76% at 9 am to 41.11% at 11 am, 62.18% at 1 pm, 78.77% at 3 pm, and finally reaching 89.93% by 5 pm across districts.
Key developments included TMC leader Mamata Banerjee expressing confidence in her party’s chances based on the day’s polling. Singer Arijit Singh cast his vote in Jiyaganj. In Malda, a 60-year-old woman reportedly died after collapsing while waiting in line to vote.
BJP candidate Laxman Pandey alleged an attack by TMC workers in Malda, while clashes were also reported in Purulia over claims of EVM malfunction.
Additional allegations of intimidation and violence were exchanged between political parties, highlighting tensions during the polling process.
