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Bengal Phase 1 Sees 62.18% Voter Turnout in First Six Hours, Breaks Past Records

The first phase of West Bengal Assembly polls recorded a significantly high voter turnout of 62.18% in the first six hours, surpassing all 2024 Lok Sabha phase averages. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed pleasure over the high polling percentage, predicting record-breaking participation. However, reports of poll-related violence emerged, including vandalism of BJP candidate Agnimitra Paul's vehicle, allegedly by Trinamool Congress supporters. Additionally, a voter named Asim Roy died of heatstroke at Suri, marking the second such fatality during the day.

Key Points: Bengal Phase 1: 62.18% Voter Turnout, Breaks Past Records

  • 62.18% voter turnout in first six hours
  • Surpasses 2024 Lok Sabha phase averages of 49.6%
  • Samserganj records highest assembly turnout at 71.07%
  • Poll-related violence reported, including vandalism of Agnimitra Paul's vehicle
  • Voter dies of heatstroke at Suri
2 min read

Bengal 1st phase elections: Poll percentage significantly high at 62.18 in first six hours

West Bengal's first phase of Assembly polls records 62.18% voter turnout in first six hours, surpassing 2024 Lok Sabha phase averages.

"The manner in which the polling is going on, and the enthusiasm with which the voters are voting, it seems all records will be broken this time - Prime Minister Narendra Modi"

Kolkata, April 23

The polling percentage in the first six hours of the first phase of West Bengal Assembly polls on Thursday till 1 P.M. was significantly high at 62.18 per cent.

As per records available from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, the polling percentages in the first six hours till 1 P.M. in all the seven phases of the Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal in 2024 were much lower.

The respective poll percentages till 1 P.M. in the seven phases of polls in 2024 in West Bengal were 51 per cent in the first phase, 47.3 per cent in the second phase, 49.3 per cent in the third phase, 51.9 per cent in the fourth phase, 48.4 per cent in the fifth phase, 54.8 per cent in the sixth phase, and 45.1 per cent in the seventh phase.

This means that the average polling percentage of these seven phases of polls in West Bengal in 2024 in the first six hours was just 49.6 per cent.

Incidentally, addressing an election campaign rally at Krishnanagar in Nadia district earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressed pleasure over the high percentage of polling.

"The manner in which the polling is going on, and the enthusiasm with which the voters are voting, it seems all records will be broken this time," the Prime Minister said.

Assembly-wise, till 1 P.M. on Thursday, the maximum polling percentage had been recorded at Samserganj in Murshidabad district at 71.07 per cent. District-wise the maximum polling percentage till 1 P.M. had been recorded at Jhargram at 65.31 per cent on Thursday.

Meanwhile, reports of poll-related violence in the last two hours between 11 A.M. and 1 P.M. on Thursday, were more than what was reported in the first four hours of polling earlier in the day.

On Thursday afternoon, the vehicle of fashion designer-turned-politician and the BJP's legislator-cum-candidate from Asansol (Dakshin) Assembly constituency in West Burdwan district, Agnimitra Paul was vandalised, allegedly by Trinamool Congress supporters.

The rear-glass of her vehicle was totally smashed following the attack. Later she registered a complaint in the matter with the local Hirapur Police Station.

Meanwhile, a voter named, Asim Roy, died of heatstroke at Suri in Birbhum district of West Bengal while he was on his way to the polling booth on Thursday afternoon. This is the second case of a voter dying of a heatstroke during the day.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
The comparison with 2024 Lok Sabha polls shows a clear jump—from 49.6% average to 62% now. That's a 12% increase! People are clearly motivated this time. But the heatstroke deaths are tragic. Our election machinery must ensure proper arrangements—water, shade, medical aid at every booth. Voting shouldn't cost lives. 😔
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Arjun K
PM Modi is spot on—Bengal's voters are breaking records! The enthusiasm is palpable. Samserganj at 71% is phenomenal. But the violence, especially against women candidates like Agnimitra Paul, is unacceptable. Bengal deserves a clean election where voters decide, not goons. Hope the EC takes strict action against those who vandalized her vehicle.
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Ananya R
While the high turnout is great, let's not ignore the context—this is an assembly election, not Lok Sabha. Local issues drive people. But the violence reports show Bengal's old political culture hasn't changed. Two heatstroke deaths? That's negligence. The EC needs to implement a heat action plan for polling stations. Democracy should be about ballots, not battles.
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Rohit P
Look at the numbers! 62% in 6 hours vs 49% average in 2024. That's a massive shift. People are angry about what's happening in Bengal—law and order, unemployment, corruption. They're coming out in droves to vote for change. But the violence is a concern. TMC needs to let people vote freely. Kudos to those who braved the heat to cast their vote. 🇮🇳
S
Siddharth J

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