Bengal Polls: 18.76% Turnout in First Two Hours Amid Tensions

Kolkata: The first two hours of polling across 152 Assembly constituencies in 16 districts of West Bengal saw an overall peaceful process on Thursday, recording an 18.76% voter turnout by 9 a.m.

According to statistics from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Midnapore recorded the highest district-wise turnout at 20.51%, while Malda reported the lowest at 16.76%.

Tensions in Murshidabad and Midnapore

Despite the overall calm, tension flared in Raninagar, located in the minority-dominated Murshidabad district. The Election Commission of India (ECI) had already earmarked Murshidabad as the state’s most sensitive district. Congress candidate Zulfikar Ali accused ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) activists of forcefully evicting a polling agent and alleged that armed hooligans were hiding in nearby forests to intimidate voters with crude bombs.

In East Midnapore—the home turf of Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari—the TMC leadership accused police officers of deliberately harassing their supporters under Adhikari’s instructions. These allegations sparked scattered protests by TMC workers in both the Nandigram and Haldia constituencies.

Political Reactions

Suvendu Adhikari dismissed the TMC’s claims as baseless, attributing them to the ruling party’s fear of defeat. He maintained that polling remained peaceful across both East and West Midnapore, with one exception.

“Except in Pingla, where local inspector-in-charge Chinmoy Pramanik has created tensions, the process is smooth. I have demanded his immediate suspension,” Adhikari stated.