Bengal Election 2021: Over 81.88 lakh electorates will decide the fate of 268 candidates.
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:
Mamata Banerjee Demands Withdrawal Of Central Forces From Bengal In Next Phase Of Polls
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.
75.06 Per Cent Voter Turnout Till 5 pm In Seventh Phase Of Bengal PollsBengal registered 75.06 per cent voter turnout till 5 pm in the seventh phase of polls - 4.4% lesser than in 2016.
67.27 Per Cent Voter Turnout Till 3 pm In Seventh Phase Of Bengal PollsBengal registered 67.27 per cent voter turnout till 3 pm in the seventh phase of polls - 3.1% lesser than in 2016.
Mamata Banerjee Casts Her Vote In Kolkata In Phase 7 Of Bengal Polls
West Bengal assembly election: 796 companies of central forces deployed for free and fair polling in phase 7
The Election Commissionl has deployed at least 796 companies of central forces in the seventh phase to ensure free and fair voting.
Phase 7 polling: Trinamool, BJP contesting on all 34 seatsRuling 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.
Phase 7 polling: Voting is being held at 12,068 polling stations
Voting is being held at 12,068 polling stations spread over nine assembly constituencies each in Murshidabad and Paschim Bardhaman districts, six each in Dakshin Dinajpur and Malda and four in Kolkata, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee''s home turf Bhabanipur.
Phase 7 polling: Voting is being held at 12,068 polling stations
Voting is being held at 12,068 polling stations spread over nine assembly constituencies each in Murshidabad and Paschim Bardhaman districts, six each in Dakshin Dinajpur and Malda and four in Kolkata, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee''s home turf Bhabanipur.
Long queues were seen outside most polling booths where voting is underway, adhering to Covid protocols, poll officials were quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
37.72% Turnout Till 11 am In Bengal
A voter shows her inked finger at a polling station under 159 Bhawanipore Assembly Constituency of South Kolkata Election District. 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.
Electors at a Polling Station under 46 Harischandrapur Assembly Constituency of Malda District. (Img credit: Election Commission)
West Bengal assembly elections: BJP, Trinamool have fielded most number of rich candidates in phase 7
West Bengal elections phase 7 polling: CPM's Ashok Bhattacharya contesting from Siliguri constituency
CPI(M)'s Ashok Bhattacharya is facing BJP candidate Shankar Ghosh and TMC's Omprakash Mishra in Siliguri constituency. Mr Bhattacharya, the former Mayor of Siliguri is a prominent communist leader in North Bengal.
West Bengal election news: 17.29% voter turnout recorded till 9 am
Nearly 18 per cent of the 81 lakh electors have voted in the first three hours of polling in West Bengal. Trinamool MPs Abhishek Banerjee and Nusrat Ruhi were among early high-profile voters.
Phase 7 polling live news: Electors maintain social distancing amid Covid surge
Electors maintain social distancing at a polling station under 161 Ballygunge Assembly Constituency of Kolkata South Election District.
West Bengal Election Live Updates: Trinamool MP Nusrat Ruhi cast vote in Kolkata
TMC MP Nusrat Jahan Ruhi and her parents cast vote at a polling booth in Kolkata.
Minister Firhad Hakim, actor Saayoni Ghosh are among key candidates contesting in phase 7
A worker sanitises a polling station ahead of voting. On Sunday evening Bengal reported 15,889 new cases in 24 hours - a record high for daily new cases and up from 14,281 a day before. The state also reported 57 Covid-linked deaths in 24 hours - a marginal drop from the 59 reported Saturday.
West Bengal election: Trinamool's Abhishek Banerjee casts vote in Bhowanipore
Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee voted at Mitra Institution in Bhowanipore, Kolkata. The Trinamool leader criticised the Election Commission for holding the state polls in eight phases amid Covid surge. He says, "People are dying but EC is conducting 8-phase polls to benefit a party".
Phase 7 polling: 34 seats vote today, polling deferred in 2 constituencies
Thirty-six seats were scheduled to go for polls in phase 7 but voting was deferred in two constituencies following the death of two candidates in Jangipur and Samserganj. These two seats will vote on May 16, and the results for these two seats will be declared on May 19.
Bengal reported daily high of 15,889 new cases on Sunday
A voter gets his body temperature checked before casting vote in Dakshin Dinajpur District. On Sunday evening Bengal reported 15,889 new cases in 24 hours - a record high for daily new cases and up from 14,281 a day before. The state also reported 57 Covid-linked deaths in 24 hours - a marginal drop from the 59 reported Saturday.
Phase 7 polling: Election Commission imposed many curbs on campaigning amid Covid surge
Campaigning for the seventh phase has been a low-key affair, following curbs imposed by the poll body in the wake of increasing Covid cases in the state. These included banning roadshows and rallies, limiting daily campaigning hours and extending the 'silence period' from 48 to 72 hours.
Phase 7 polling: BJP candidate from Ratua casts vote
BJP candidate from Ratua constituency, Abhishek Singhania, cast vote at Samsi Primary School. "Ratua is the most backward constituency in Malda. The local MLA is a migrant MLA as he comes only to get votes," he says.
In 2016, this constituency was won by the Congress.
West Bengal assembly election: Over 81 lakh people are eligible to vote in phase 7
Phase 7 polling: Trinamool and BJP are contesting on all 34 seats
Over 81 lakh people will be eligible to vote as 34 constituencies decide on their political representatives. The ruling Trinamool will contest all available seats in this phase, as will its primary opposition - the BJP. The Congress-Left alliance has agreed a 19:13 split, with the Rashtiye Secular Majlis Party (RSMP) fielding candidates from the other four segments.
Bengal Election Phase 7: PM Modi urges voters to exercise their right, follow all Covid protocols
Shortly after polling began, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted to urge voters to vote in large numbers. "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.
Voting begins for 34 seats of Bengal in seventh phase of state elections amid steady rise in Covid cases.
Phase 7 election live news: 26% candidates have criminal cases
West Bengal election news: Chief Minister Banerjee's current seat will vote in phase 7
Trinamool leader Sovondeb Chattopadhyay, Bengal's Power Minister, will contest from Bhabanipur - Chief Minister Banerjee's current seat and the Trinamool's since 2011 - after she opted to stand from Nandigram to take on Suvendu Adhikari. Mr Chattopadhyay will face the BJP's Rudranil Ghosh, the actor and former Trinamool member who quit the party a few months ago.
West Bengal assembly election: 34 assembly constituencies to vote today in phase 7
Thirty-four assembly constituencies spread across five districts will go to polls. Among these, six are in Dakshin Dinajpur, six in Malda, nine in Murshidabad, nine in Paschim Bardhaman and four in Kolkata.
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