Over 91 percent voting in first phase polling in Bengal

Kolkata: West Bengal's assembly elections began with the first phase amidst unusual enthusiasm, with around 91.64 percent voting recorded for 152 seats. This rate is higher than the 82 percent turnout in the 2021 elections, indicating that the state's voters are participating more actively in the political process. From the hill valleys of North Bengal to the hot plains of the southern regions, this phase of voting reflects the state's geographical and political diversity.

The ruling Trinamool Congress, led by Mamata Banerjee, is attempting to secure power for the fourth consecutive time. The party is relying on its strong grassroots organization, schemes for women such as 'Lakshmi Bhandar', and the narrative of being neglected by the central government. On the other hand, the Bharatiya Janata Party is trying to strengthen its position, building on the 77 seats it won in 2021. The BJP is using the anti-government wave, the narrative of electoral violence, and the politics of Hindutva in border districts in its campaign.

The Left-Congress alliance, although weakened, is making the contest triangular in some areas, particularly in Muslim-majority areas and rural regions. However, the voting on April 23 was marred by several issues and controversies. The intense heat, which reached up to 40 degrees Celsius, along with the malfunctioning of EVMs, clashes, and allegations between political parties, affected the electoral process.

The Election Commission received over 700 complaints, of which 360 were direct and 340 were filed through the cVigil app. These complaints included allegations of EVM malfunction, booth capturing, and intimidation of voters. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar had already directed the deployment of central forces in sensitive areas such as Murshidabad, Birbhum, and Cooch Behar.

Despite these measures, mismanagement was seen at several places, although authorities claimed to have controlled the situation in most areas. The malfunctioning of EVMs was a major issue. At a polling booth in Baharampur, machines malfunctioned repeatedly, being replaced four times, but the problem persisted. Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury termed it an administrative failure, stating that it deprived hundreds of voters of their right to vote.

Senior citizens and laborers, who stood in line for hours in the scorching heat, returned disappointed. Technical glitches at several polling booths further raised questions about the transparency of the electoral process. At booth number 141 in Baharampur, considered a Congress stronghold, EVMs malfunctioned repeatedly and were replaced four times, but the problem persisted.

Local Congress leader and Lok Sabha member Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury strongly criticized the incompetence of the polling staff, saying it resulted in hundreds of voters being deprived of their right to vote. Senior women and daily wage laborers stood in line for hours in the intense heat but returned disappointed. 68-year-old Sunita Devi, who came to vote for the first time after a recent revision of the voter list, said, "We have been standing in the sun since morning, but the machines are not working."