West Bengal Phase 2 Polls: 39.97% Voter Turnout Recorded in First Four Hours

Kolkata (IANS): Voter turnout in West Bengal reached 39.97% by 11:00 AM on Wednesday during the second phase of the Assembly elections. While the figure is slightly lower than the 41.1% recorded during the first phase on April 23, it is higher than the 28.10% average seen during the same period in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

District-Wise Turnout (Till 11:00 AM)

East Burdwan led the districts with the highest participation, while South Kolkata saw the most conservative numbers:

• East Burdwan: 44.50%
• Hooghly: 43.12%
• Nadia: 40.34%
• Howrah: 39.45%
• North 24 Parganas: 38.43%
• Kolkata (Uttar): 38.39%
• South 24 Parganas: 37.92%
• Kolkata (Dakshin): 36.78%

Strategic Monitoring and NIA Presence

Union Home Minister Amit Shah reportedly contacted Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari to discuss the polling progress in Bhabanipur, where Adhikari faces Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

In the sensitive Bhangar constituency, a National Investigation Agency (NIA) team arrived to further its probe into recent crude bomb recoveries and an explosion reported just before the polls. Meanwhile, the BJP has formally demanded repolling in the Falta constituency following recent confrontations between the ECI police observer and the local TMC candidate.

Local Scuffles and Arrests

• Kanchrapara: A scuffle broke out between a TMC municipal councillor and an Independent candidate over proximity to a polling booth. Police eventually intervened to restore order.
• Nadia (Chapra): Central forces arrested a TMC polling agent at booth 54 following allegations of voter influence.

Polling continues across 142 seats in South Bengal under heavy security.