Voter participation surged in West Bengal as the state recorded a turnout of 78.68 per cent till 3:30 PM on Wednesday during the second phase of Assembly elections.
According to the Election Commission of India, Purba Bardhaman led with the highest turnout at 83.11 per cent, followed by Hooghly at 80.77 per cent. Nadia registered 79.79 per cent polling, while Kolkata North and Kolkata South recorded 78 per cent and 75.38 per cent turnout, respectively. South 24 Parganas also saw strong voter participation at 76.75 per cent.
The electoral contest in the state remains largely between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The second phase is being closely watched as a key test for the TMC, with polling taking place across its traditional strongholds in South Bengal and Kolkata. The phase covers 142 of the total 294 Assembly seats.
The electorate for this phase stands at around 3.21 crore voters, including over 1.64 crore men, 1.57 crore women, and 792 transgender voters. A total of 1,448 candidates, including 220 women, are contesting across 41,001 polling stations, with more than 8,000 booths managed entirely by women.
Attention is also focused on key urban constituencies, including Bhabanipur and Tollyganj, the latter known as the hub of the Bengali film industry and witnessing a high-profile contest.
In the 2021 Assembly elections, the TMC dominated this region, winning 123 of the 142 seats. For the BJP, this phase presents an opportunity to expand its footprint among urban “bhadralok” voters and the Matua community. For the TMC, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the priority is to retain its stronghold and secure a fourth consecutive term.
Counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.
-ANI
