Stray incidents of violence were reported from some areas where voting is underway for the seventh phase of the West Bengal assembly elections, though the overall polling process has been peaceful in the state. 75.06 per cent of the 81 lakh electors have voted till 5 pm. Trinamool MPs Abhishek Banerjee and Nusrat Ruhi were among the early high-profile voters. Thirty-four assembly constituencies spread across five districts are voting today in the seventh phase of the eight-phased election. Among these, six are in Dakshin Dinajpur, six in Malda, nine in Murshidabad, nine in Paschim Bardhaman and four in Kolkata.
In Bhowanipore, the home turf of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Trinamool has fielded party heavyweight Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay. Ms Banerjee has chosen Nandigram in this election in place of Bhowanipore.
Over 81.88 lakh electorates, including 39.87 lakh women, will decide the fate of 268 candidates. Key candidates to watch out in this phase are actor Rudranil Ghosh (who is standing from Bhowanipore on BJP ticket) and state minister Firhad Hakim, who is contesting from the Kolkata Port constituency.
Shortly after polling began, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged voters to follow all Covid protocols. "The seventh phase of the West Bengal elections takes place today. Urging people to exercise their franchise and follow all COVID-19 related protocols," PM Modi tweeted.
Ruling Trinamool Congress and BJP are contesting on all 34 seats.
Congress, the Left parties and the Indian Secular Front (ISF) have made a coalition and are contesting under the banner of Sanyukta Morcha. Out of the 34 seats in this round, Congress has got 18 in its share, CPI(M) got 12, RSP three, AIFB got one and ISF has got four seats.
Bahujan Samaj Party is also trying its luck and has fielded 25 candidates.
Here are the LIVE Updates on West Bengal Election 2021 Phase 7 Voting:
Murshidabad: Polling officials seal EVM and VVPAT as voting for the seventh phase of the #WestBengalElections2021 concludes pic.twitter.com/cruUJFBcjU
- ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2021
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today demanded the withdrawal of central forces from Bengal in the next phase of polling in an attempt to curb the spread of Covid in the state. She also welcomed the Madras High Court's observations that the Election Commission could not avoid the blame for the spread of the pandemic, reported news agency PTI.
She also accused the prime minister of insensitivity, alleging "while mass pyres were lit at crematoriums, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was busy delivering speeches.
"I welcome the Madras High Court order, which clearly said the Election Commission (EC) cannot escape its responsibility. Both Prime Minister Modi and EC are responsible for the (current) situation (of Covid spreading in the state)," Ms Banerjee alleged at a workers' meeting in North Kolkata.
"Should Be Booked For Murder Probably": Court Shreds Election Commission https://t.co/1YcTRl2a6m pic.twitter.com/HEZAqq9V9F
- NDTV Elections (@NDTVElections) April 26, 2021
BJP National President Shri @JPNadda virtually addresses the voters of Jorasanko constituency of West Bengal.#EbarBJPEbarSonarBangla https://t.co/eLdnR7IGyz
- BJP Bengal (@BJP4Bengal) April 26, 2021
Phase VII and yet another round of drubbing awaits BJP. Their agents have already accepted defeat this early in the morning. Telling image from Balurghat!
- Soham Chakraborty (@myslf_soham) April 26, 2021
Mark my words, we are winning big this time! #TMC200Paar pic.twitter.com/w7prBRfeVy
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee shows victory symbol after she cast her vote at a polling station in Kolkata#WestBengalElections2021 pic.twitter.com/AAAJzJQMtP
- ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2021
Strength of Democracy: an elderly Indian citizen remains firm to cast his vote with the assistance of a CAPF Jawan at the Polling Station No. 143 under 48 Ratua Assembly Constituency of Malda District.#WestBengalElections2021@ECISVEEP @SpokespersonECI @rajivkumarec @PIBKolkata pic.twitter.com/yXSc9wEq7l
- CEO West Bengal (@CEOWestBengal) April 26, 2021
Distribution of Hand gloves among the Voters' at the Polling Station No.75, 75A under 38 Kumarganj Assembly Constituency of Dakshin Dinajpur District. #WestBengalElections2021@ECISVEEP @SpokespersonECI @rajivkumarec @PIBKolkata pic.twitter.com/RB7d6JUdir
- CEO West Bengal (@CEOWestBengal) April 26, 2021
Polling process going on smoothly at the Polling Station No. 132 under 160 Rashbehari Assembly Constituency of South Kolkata Election District. #WestBengalElections2021@ECISVEEP @SpokespersonECI @rajivkumarec @PIBKolkata pic.twitter.com/XQpSk681pj
- CEO West Bengal (@CEOWestBengal) April 26, 2021
West Bengal Assembly Election 2021: JP Nadda Accuses Mamata Banerjee Of Misleading People On Covid VaccinationBJP president JP Nadda Monday accused Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee of misleading people of West Bengal on various issues."
Naka checking going on at BaishnavDanga, Suti, Murshidabad District. #WestBengalElections2021@ECISVEEP @SpokespersonECI @rajivkumarec @PIBKolkata pic.twitter.com/wlyG2ESWKM
- CEO West Bengal (@CEOWestBengal) April 26, 2021
Ruling Trinamool Congress and BJP are contesting on all 34 seats.
Congress, the Left parties and the Indian Secular Front (ISF) have made a coalition and are contesting under the banner of Sanyukta Morcha. Out of the 34 seats in this round, Congress has got 18 in its share, CPI(M) got 12, RSP three, AIFB got one and ISF has got four seats.
Bahujan Samaj Party is also trying its luck and has fielded 25 candidates.
Proud Voters' showcasing their inked-fingers after casting their vote at 159 Bhabanipur Assembly Constituency of South Kolkata Election District.#WestBengalElections2021@ECISVEEP @SpokespersonECI @rajivkumarec @PIBKolkata pic.twitter.com/uCHbddjM0e
- CEO West Bengal (@CEOWestBengal) April 26, 2021
Proud Voter showcasing his inked-finger after casting his vote at the Polling Station No. 25 under 59 Raghunathganj Assembly Constituency of Murshidabad District. #WestBengalElections2021@ECISVEEP @SpokespersonECI @rajivkumarec @PIBKolkata pic.twitter.com/2f6umow6aK
- CEO West Bengal (@CEOWestBengal) April 26, 2021
CAPF on his duty at Polling Station No 51A under 46 Harischandrapur Assembly Constituency of Malda District.#WestBengalElections2021@ECISVEEP @SpokespersonECI @rajivkumarec @PIBKolkata pic.twitter.com/uEX2u8FHTu
- CEO West Bengal (@CEOWestBengal) April 26, 2021
"People must wear a mask, maintain social distancing": A doctor, who came to cast her vote at a polling booth in Ballygunge, tells NDTV's Monideepa Banerjie #COVID19 #WestBengalPolls pic.twitter.com/SJoO4hNuHG
- NDTV (@ndtv) April 26, 2021
"It seems the Election Commission only listens to the Prime Minister and the Home Minister": Actor and TMC MP Nusrat Jahan after casting her vote#ElectionsWithNDTV #WestBengalPolls pic.twitter.com/aV6AgHJVy2
- NDTV (@ndtv) April 26, 2021
Electors are in que at the Polling Station under 42-Harirampur Assembly Constituency of Dakshin Dinajpur District.#WestBengalElections2021@ECISVEEP @SpokespersonECI @rajivkumarec @PIBKolkata. pic.twitter.com/fgfjgUMHpD
- CEO West Bengal (@CEOWestBengal) April 26, 2021
Distribution of sanitizer among Voters' at the Polling Station No. 196 & 197 under 159 Bhabanipur Assembly Constituency of Kolkata South Election District.#WestBengalElections2021@ECISVEEP @SpokespersonECI @rajivkumarec @PIBKolkata. pic.twitter.com/jTdQwyN1Qu
- CEO West Bengal (@CEOWestBengal) April 26, 2021
Duty for Democracy: Electors at Polling Station No. 117 (Tagore Primary School) under 64- Murshidaabad Assembly Constituency of Murshidabad District.#WestBengalElections2021@ECISVEEP @SpokespersonECI @rajivkumarec @PIBKolkata. pic.twitter.com/lgV0qmeUuN
- CEO West Bengal (@CEOWestBengal) April 26, 2021
#WestBengalElection | Seventh phase of polling underway in the state, several high profile TMC leaders in fray
- NDTV (@ndtv) April 26, 2021
NDTV's Monideepa Banerjie with more details #ElectionsWithNDTV pic.twitter.com/AIg0c27U1C
People queue up outside a polling booth in Murshidabad, as they await their turn to cast their vote for the seventh phase of #WestBengalPolls pic.twitter.com/8p7Vbxx24N
- ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2021
Kolkata: TMC candidate from Bhowanipore constituency, Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay cast his vote for the seventh phase of #WestBengalPolls, at the polling booth at Manmatha Nath Nandan Boys And Girls School. CM Mamata Banerjee is the sitting MLA from the constituency. pic.twitter.com/fn4qPuYVhR
- ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2021
The seventh phase of the West Bengal elections takes place today. Urging people to exercise their franchise and follow all COVID-19 related protocols.
- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 26, 2021
Grand welcome to the Women Poling Personnel at the Model Polling Station (Birudiha Secondary School) under 276 Durgapur Purba Assembly Constituency of Paschim Bardhaman District. #WestBengalElections2021@ECISVEEP @SpokespersonECI @rajivkumarec @PIBKolkata pic.twitter.com/tzHb9FyXmu
- CEO West Bengal (@CEOWestBengal) April 26, 2021
Election officials conduct mock poll at a polling booth in Murshidabad, ahead of voting for the seventh phase of #WestBengalElections2021 today. pic.twitter.com/EY5W02XslU
- ANI (@ANI) April 26, 2021
