Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates: Seikh Sufiyan, the election agent of Mamata Banerjee, however, claimed that goons hired by the BJP carried out an attack on the TMC workers as all three injured were from the ruling party The Trinamool Congress, eyeing re-election in Bengal for a third term, today alleged ‘discrepancy’ in poll turnout and malfunctioning of EVMs A huge controversy erupted on Saturday amid the polling for 30 Assembly seats in West Bengal, with the BJP releasing an audio clip where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is purportedly heard cajoling a BJP leader from Nandigram to rejoin the TMC and help her win the seat. Banerjee is pitted against her former protege and now the BJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari in Nandigram, the region that propelled her to power in 2011, dislodging the Left Front from power after a 34-year unbroken rule. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said that her party will complain to the Election Commission about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangladesh, reports said. “In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections when a Bangladeshi actor attended our rally, BJP spoke to Bangladesh government and cancelled his visa…. When polls are underway here, Modi goes to Bangladesh to seek votes from one section of people, why shouldn’t your Visa be cancelled? We’ll complain to the Election Commission,” Mamata told ANI on Saturday. Meanwhile, according to EC, 70.17 percent of polling has been registered in West Bengal till 4 pm. BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari’s younger brother Soumendu was attacked in Kanthi by TMC supporters, his party alleged. His car was vandalised and his driver was injured in the attack. Rahul Gandhi urged voters on Saturday to cast their ballots against “divisive forces” to strengthen democracy as polling began for the first phase of the Assembly elections in West Bengal and Assam. Sporadic incidents of violence were reported from some areas that are voting in the first phase of the Assembly elections in West Bengal on Saturday, even as the overall poll situation was peaceful with 14.28 per cent turnout recorded till 9 am, officials said Voting on Saturday was stopped in Kharagpur after EVM malfunctions were reported from polling booths 98 and 99, according to media reports. Voting has now begun in both West Bengal and Assam. Politically volatile states of West Bengal and Assam will go to polls in the first phase of assembly elections on Saturday amid a resurgent COVID-19 crisis to decide the fate of a number of top politicians including Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. The Assembly elections to the two states apart from Tamil Nadu, Kerala and the Union Territory of Puducherry are the first, after the state polls in Bihar, to be held during the pandemic. Polling will be held in 30 of the 294 constituencies of West Bengal and 47 of the 126 in Assam which together have 1.54 crore eligible voters who can exercise their franchise on Saturday. The polling, mostly in the Jungalmahal area of West Bengal, where the BJP had managed to win most of the seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, will likely witness a straight contest between the saffron party and the ruling TMC. A staggering 684 companies of central paramilitary forces, each having about 100 men and officers, have been deployed to guard 10,288 polling booths housed in 7,061 premises, officials said. Thousands of state police personnel will also be positioned at vulnerable places to thwart attempts at vitiating the elections. West Bengal has been caught in the throes of violent political clashes between the TMC and BJP supporters which have claimed several lives on both sides. The first phase of poll in Assam will decide the fate of Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Speaker Hitendranath Goswami, state Congress chief Ripun Borah and a host of ministers. Most of these seats will likely witness triangular contest between the ruling BJP-AGP alliance, the Congress-led opposition grand alliance and the newly formed Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP). West Bengal will have an eight-phase poll, while in Assam the exercise will be completed in three phases on 27 March, 1 and 6 April. Altogether 264 candidates, including 23 women, are in the fray. Central forces will assist the state police in maintaining law and order during the polling, a senior police officer said without divulging their numbers. The official said there will be enough security personnel to cover all polling stations. The ruling BJP is contesting 39 seats and its partner AGP 10. The two allies are engaged in friendly contest in Lakhimpur and Naharkatiya constituencies. The grand alliance is contesting all the seats, with the Congress party putting up candidates in 43, and the AIUDF, CPI(ML-L), RJD and Anchalik Gana Morcha (contesting as Independent) in one each. The newly formed AJP is in the fray in 41 seats, while there are 78 Independents, including 19 candidates of he newly formed Raijor Dal who are also contesting as Independents. Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal is trying his luck from Majuli (ST) seat where he is locked in a direct contest with three-time former Congress MLA and former minister Rajib Lochan Pegu. Speaker of the outgoing assembly Hitendranath Goswami is also locked in a direct contest with former Congress MLA Rana Goswami in Jorhat. Titabor, another high-profile seat that was held by former chief minister Tarun Gogoi of the Congress for four successive terms will likely see a direct contest between Bhaskar Jyoti Barua of the Congress and former MLA Hemanta Kalita. Gogoi, the tallest Congress leader in the state, died last year. BJP Ministers Ranjit Dutta (Behali), Naba Kumar Doley (Dhakuakha), Jogen Mohan (Mahmora), Terash Gowala (Duliajan) and Sanjoy Kishan (Tinsukia) are all locked in triangular contest with Congress or its alliance partners and the AJP. AGP Ministers Atul Bora and Keshab Mahanta are in the electoral arena in Bokakhat and Kaliabor. Congress Legislature Party leader Debabrata Saikia and state Congress president Ripun Borah are in the fray from Nazira and Gohpur respectively. Activist and Raijor Dal leader Akhil Gogoi, in jail for his alleged role in the violent anti-CAA protests, is contesting as an Independent from Sivasagar. AJP president Lurinjyoti Gogoi is contesting from Duliajan and Naharkatiya, and is pitted against Congress and BJP nominees in both the constituencies. The first phase of polling in West Bengal will see voting in all the nine seats in Purulia, four in Bankura, four in Jhargram and six in Paschim Medinipur, besides the seven seats in high-stakes Purba Medinipur - the home turf of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari. The TMC and BJP have fielded candidates in 29 seats each, while the Left-Congress-ISF alliance has put up its nominee in all 30 seats. “Friendly fights” will take place in some constituencies. In Jhargram, 11 paramilitary personnel will be deployed per booth, the highest for any election held in the state so far, officials said. In the other districts, an average of six paramilitary personnel will be deployed at every polling booth, officials said. The Trinamool Congress is contesting 29 of the 30 seats, while supporting an Independent in the Joypur assembly segment in Purulia as the nomination of its official candidate Ujjwal Kumar was rejected by the EC due to a discrepancy. The BJP is also contesting 29 seats and backing ally AJSU Party of Jharkhand in Baghmundi. Among the notable seats going to the polls in the first phase are Salboni, where the CPI(M) has fielded former minister Susanta Ghosh against BJP’s Rajib Kundu and TMC’s Srikanta Mahata. Ghosh, the MLA of Garbeta from 1987 to 2016, was in jail in the skeleton recovery case and is at present out on bail. Seven skeletons had been exhumed from behind his house in West Midnapore in 2011 arousing suspicion that Ghosh, a minister in the Jyoti Basu and Bhuddhadeb Bhattacharjee governments, was involved in the killing of seven Trinamool Congress activists in 2002. The TMC has fielded actor June Malia, a known face on the Bengali silver screen, from Medinipur against BJP’s Samit Kumar Dash. The Left-led alliance candidate is Tarun Kumar Ghosh of the CPI. In another significant contest, Santhali actor Birbaha Hansda is fighting on a TMC ticket from Jhargram against BJP’s Sukhamay Satpathy and CPI(M)’s youth leader Madhuja Sen Roy. The seven seats in Purba Medinipur – Patashpur, Kanthi Uttar, Bhagabanpur, Khejuri, Kanthi Dakshin, Ramnagar and Egra – will also be closely watched beause of a prestige fight between the influential Adhikari family, which has gone over to the BJP, and the TMC. With inputs from PTI
Assembly Election 2021 updates: BJP, TMC workers clash in Nandigram, at least 3 injured, says police
Assembly Election 2021 LIVE Updates: Seikh Sufiyan, the election agent of Mamata Banerjee, however, claimed that goons hired by the BJP carried out an attack on the TMC workers as all three injured were from the ruling party read more
 "Assembly Election 2021 updates: BJP, TMC workers clash in Nandigram, at least 3 injured, says police")
Assam election 2021 LATEST updates
Kanhaiya calls Modi “biggest liar”, compares Himanta to Kansa of Mahabharata
CPI leader Kanhaiya Kumar hit out at BJP on Saturday calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi “the biggest liar” and comparing the saffron party’s top Assam leader Himanta Biswa Sarma with King Kansa, the tyrant ruler of Mathura in the Mahabharata. The former JNU students union president termed Modi’s statement in Bangladesh, where he is on a visit, about going to jail for that country’s freedom as a “big lie”. He urged the people of Assam, where the three-phase poll for the state assembly began on Saturday, not to support those who are selling the resources of the country in the name of nationalism.
West Bengal election 2021 LATEST updates
Violence mars polling in West Bengal
Violence and scuffle marred the polling process in some areas. In Kanthi Dakshin seat of Purba Medinipur district, voters staged protests outside a polling booth over the alleged malfunctioning of an electronic voting machine. The agitators blocked a road outside a polling station at Majna, claiming that the VVPAT slip showed results in favour of a particular party, no matter which outfit they voted for. A contingent of central forces was sent to the area to control the situation, an EC official said, adding that the VVPAT machine was eventually replaced.
BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari’s younger brother Soumendu claimed he was attacked in Kanthi by TMC supporters. He also alleged that his car was vandalised, and his driver sustained injuries in the attack.
At Mohonpur in Dantan assembly constituency, four persons were injured in clashes between workers of the TMC and the BJP, after alleged attempts to capture booths were made by some of them. At Keshiari in Paschim Medinipur, security forces baton-charged locals who staged demonstrations, claiming that
votes were being cast only in favour of one party. Later in the day, the protesters blocked an adjoining road stating that security forces attacked women during
house-to-house raids.
West Bengal election 2021 LATEST updates
BJP practices politics without principles, pumping money in Bengal to capture power: Gehlot
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday alleged that the BJP practices “politics without principles” and was pumping huge amount of money in West Bengal to capture power in that state. He also said that Bengal will never go with such “communal and corrupt” political ideology of the BJP.
“BJP is pumping huge money in West Bengal to capture power by hook or by crook as part of politics without principles. People of West Bengal will give them befitting reply by keeping them away from power,” Gehlot tweeted.
West Bengal election 2021 LATEST updates
EC RejectsTMC charge of discrepancy in poll numbers
The Election Commission rejected allegations of the TMC that there was discrepancy in poll turnout and malfunctioning of EVMs in South Kanthi.
West Bengal election 2021 LATEST updates
TMC, BJP trade barbs over Nandigram violence
Seikh Sufiyan, the election agent of TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, however, claimed that goons hired by the BJP carried out an attack on the workers of the state’s ruling party, a charge denied by the saffron camp. “All three, who sustained injuries during the attack, are activists of the TMC. They were rushed to SSKM hospital in Kolkata. The condition of one of them has been stated to be serious,” Sufiyan said.
Local BJP leaders, on their part, contended that the TMC men are trying to disrupt peace in the constituency — where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is locked in a fierce battle with protege-turned-adversary Suvendu Adhikari. “None of our workers was involved in any attack on TMC activists. On the contrary, the ruling camp members assaulted our karyakartas during Suvendu Adhikari’s rallies. The three TMC men, undergoing treatment, must be victims of infighting,” a saffron party leader said.
West Bengal election 2021 LATEST updates
BJP, TMC workers clash in Nandigram, at least 3 injured
A clash broke out on Saturday between activists of the BJP and the TMC in Purba Medinipur’s Nandigram constituency — which is set to go to polls on April 1 — leaving at least three persons seriously injured, a senior police officer here said.
Assam election 2021 LATEST updates
Polling concludes; 72.14%voter turnout reported till 6 pm
As per the mobile application Voter Turnout App, the overall estimated voter turnout in Assam was recorded at 72.14 percent till 6 pm. Nagaon recorded the highest voting percentage at 78.20 percent while Nazaira saw the lowest at 64 percent
West Bengal election 2021 LATEST updates
EVM votes for BJP: AITC alleges EVM rigging in West Bengal
The party retweeted multiple allegations of Electronic Voting Machine’s rigging from Kanthi Uttar district, stating that no matter which way voter goes, the poll is recorded in favour of the BJP. The party also claimed that the BJP was illegally trying to swing votes in their favour
Assembly Election LATEST Updates
First phase polling in final hour
First phase of polling is nearing its end as according to Election Commission’s orders, the voting will end at 6 pm. The ECI has, however, directed officials to record the votes of people already in line at 6 pm.
Assam election 2021 LATEST updates
66.02%voter turnout reported in Assam till 5 pm
As per the mobile application Voter Turnout App, the overall voter turnout in Assam was recorded at 66.02 percent till 5 pm. Nagaon recorded the highest voting percentage at 79.83 percent while Nazaira saw the lowest at 64 percent
West Bengal election 2021 LATEST updates
State records 71.47% votes in Bengal
As per the mobile application Voter Turnout App, the overall voter turnout in West Bengal was recorded at 71.47 percent. Here are some of the district-wise breakup till 5 pm:
- Bankura: 80.03%
- Jhargram: 78.41%
- Paschim Medinipur: 77.03%
- Purba Medinipur: 7644%
- Purulia: 73.93%
West Bengal election 2021 LATEST updates
‘Confront BJP-hired goons with ladles,’ Mamata tells women in rallies
Alleging that the BJP was bringing in goons from outside West Bengal to stop people from exercising their franchise in Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday urged women to “confront the hoodlums with ladle, spatula” and other cooking utensils. Addressing two public rallies at Narayangarh and Pingla in West Midnapore district, the TMC chief dubbed TMC turncoat Suvendu Adhikari and his family as “traitors”, and claimed that one member of the household was seen distributing money among people on Friday night, hours before 30 Assembly constituencies of the state went to polls.
“Yesterday, one of the Adhikari brothers was seen distributing money… Women in the area caught him red-handed and asked the police to arrest him. They also handed over 30 goons, all hired from outside, to the police,” she said.
— PTI
West Bengal Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Mamata’s purported audio clip seeking help from BJP leader to win Nandigram stirs row
A huge controversy erupted on Saturday amid the polling for 30 Assembly seats in West Bengal, with the BJP releasing an audio clip where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is purportedly heard cajoling a BJP leader from Nandigram to rejoin the TMC and help her win the seat.
Banerjee is pitted against her former protege and now the BJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari in Nandigram, the region that propelled her to power in 2011, dislodging the Left Front from power after a 34-year unbroken rule.
A BJP delegation, led by party general secretary and Bengal minder Kailash Vijayvargiya, met the state’s chief electoral officer and handed over the tape, claiming Banerjee was using her official position to influence the outcome ofthe bitterly contested Assembly poll.
The ruling TMC questioned the genuineness of the audiotape, but asserted that since Pralay Pal was a former TMC leader who switched over to the BJP, there was nothing wrong with Banerjee trying to woo him back.
— PTI
West Bengal Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Nandigram, Singur And Mamata Banerjee’s Biggest Battle Yet
Tamil Nadu Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Plaint against A Raja for remark on Tamil Nadu CM
Meanwhile, in Tamil Nadu, a controversy has erupted after DMK leader and former union minister A Raja allegedly compared Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami to DMK chief MK Stalin’s slippers. According to News18, the AIADMK has registered a complaint to the chief elector officer of Tamil Nadu against Raja for makign the unsavoury comment.
West Bengal Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
BJP delegation meets EC over ‘attack’ on Soumendu Adhikari
A BJP delegation met with the Election Commission following an alleged attack on BJP leader and Suvendu Adhikari’s brother Soumendu Adhikari on Saturday. According ANI, the delegation has asked the poll commission to round-up anti-social elements in order to avoid such cases in the second phase of polling.
WB: BJP delegation met EC following attack on BJP leader & Suvendu Adhikari's brother, Soumendu Adhikari
— ANI (@ANI) March 27, 2021
1st election in 6 years with fewer instances of rigging & violence. To avoid even 10% of such cases in 2nd phase, we demanded EC round-up anti-social elements: BJP Gen Secy pic.twitter.com/DCnNtukI0o
Assam Assembly Election LATEST Updates
Over 62% polling in Assam till 4 pm
As per the mobile application Voter Turnout App, the overall voter turnout in Assam was recorded at 62.26 percent till 4 pm.
West Bengal Assembly election voter turnout LATEST Updates
Overall voter turnout till 4 pm at 70.17%
As per the mobile application Voter Turnout App, the overall voter turnout in West Bengal was recorded at 70.17 percent. Here are some of the district-wise breakup till 4 pm:
- Bankura: 68.2%
- Jhargram: 72.1%
- Paschim Medinipur: 69.02%
- Purba Medinipur: 72.32%
- Purulia: 60.31%
West Bengal Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
“Will Complain to EC on Modi’s Bangladesh Visit,” says Mamata Banerjee
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said that her party will complain to the Election Commission about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangladesh, reports said.
“In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections when a Bangladeshi actor attended our rally, BJP spoke to Bangladesh government and cancelled his visa…. When polls are underway here, Modi goes to Bangladesh to seek votes from one section of people, why shouldn’t your Visa be cancelled? We’ll complain to the Election Commission,” Mamata told ANI on Saturday.
Assam Assembly Election LATEST Updates
51.4% voter turnout reported in Assam till 3 pm
As per the mobile application Voter Turnout App, the overall voter turnout in Assam was recorded at 51.4 percent till 3 pm. Saidya recorded the highest voting percentage at 67.42 percent while Dibrugarh saw the lowest at 32.17 percent. Here’s the district wise
| District | Turnout pecentage (till 3.30 pm) |
| Biswanath | 69.7 |
| Bokakhat | 64.2 |
| Charaideo | 69.15 |
| Dhakuakhana | 65.02 |
| Dhansiri | 57.4 |
| Demaji | 63.5 |
| Source: Election Comission of India | |
West Bengal Assembly Election LATEST Updates
Overall voter turnout till 3 pm at 56.27%
As per the mobile application Voter Turnout App, the overall voter turnout in West Bengal was recorded at 56.27 percent. Here are some of the district-wise breakup till 3 pm:
- Bankura: 66%
- Jhargram: 62.22%
- Paschim Medinipur: 63.03%
- Purba Medinipur: 57.75%
- Purulia: 53.41%
Assam Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Voting slows down after morning surge in Chabua
The polling station at Horogunrai Bherudan MV School right in the middle of Chabua town under Chabua LAC is seeing a thin flow of voters following a surge in the morning. Chabua was at the epicentre of anti-CAA violence in upper Assam a year ago. According to data released by the Election Commission on its voter turnout app, the Assembly constituency has seen 60% polling till 3.20 pm.
West Bengal Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
TMC delegation asks EC to bring back rule allowing only locals as polling station agents, says report
According to News18, a delegation of Trinamool Congress leaders led by MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay has urged the Election Commission of India to bring back the rule which enjoined upon political parties to appoint only voters registerd in an Assembly segment where a polling station was located as polling agents.
The rule had been relaxed last week to allow agents to be appointed from any part of an assembly constituency.
Assam Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Contrasting turnout at two Chabua polling stations within same school
The spotlight in the first phase of Assam election is on the tea garden districts of Assam with 38 of the 47 seats voting today falling in the region. In a stark contrast, polling station 6 in Chabua, which caters to voters from tea garden areas saw a steady turnout, while polling station no 8 was nearly empty. Both the polling stations are situated in the same school building in Chabua.
West Bengal Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Suvendu Adhikar’s father casts vote in Contai
BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari’s father Sisir Adhikari casts his vote at a polling booth in Contai in Purba Medinipur district in the first phase of West Bengal polls.
West Bengal Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
CPM’s Susanta Ghosh attacked by ‘TMC supporters’
In the Salboni area of the Paschim Medinipur district, CPM candidate Susanta Gosh was heckled and stones were hurled at his vehicle allegedly by TMC supporters, police said.
As soon as he reached Salboni Bazar, some TMC supporters gheraoed and heckled him, following which they also attacked his car, eyewitnesses told PTI.
Police personnel posted in the area rescued and escorted him to safety.
“This is an attack on democracy. This is jungle raj going on,” said Ghosh, a former minister in the Left Front government.
PTI
West Bengal Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
TMC meets EC in Kolkata, says local resident should be appointed as polling agent
As the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly polls got underway on Saturday, a delegation of TMC leaders met the EC in Kolkata to demand that local people should be appointed as polling agents, The Times of India reported.
“BJP had submitted a memorandum requesting to change the system of appointing booth agents wherein he must be a voter of the concerned booth&allow anybody at any booth,” said TMC leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay.
West Bengal Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Soumendu Adhikari attacked by TMC supporters, claims BJP
BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari’s younger brother Soumendu was attacked in Kanthi by TMC supporters, his party alleged.
His car was vandalised and his driver was injured in the attack.
PTI
Assam Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Assam Congress chief casts his vote
Assam Congress President Ripun Bora casts his vote at a polling booth in Gohpur. #AssamAssemblyElections2021 pic.twitter.com/cM2bfgjPV4
— ANI (@ANI) March 27, 2021
Assam Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Bihu decorations adorn Jorhat’s model polling booth
In Assam’s Jorhat, a model polling station was customised to reflect state’s customs and traditions, with Bihu decorations in place. The polling station also featured decorations like a charkha, traditional fishing equipment and a chepa, a fish trap on display. It also has a children’s play corner.
In Batadraba, the first voter was given a traditional ‘gamusa’ and a sapling at a model polling station.
West Bengal Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
First phase of polling ‘by and large peaceful so far’ says official
Sporadic incidents of violence were reported from some areas that are voting in the first phase of the assembly elections in West Bengal on Saturday, even as the overall poll situation was peaceful with 36.09 percent turnout recorded till 11 am, officials said.
Elections are being held in 30 seats, most of which are in the once-Naxal-affected Jungle Mahal region, across five districts amid tight security, they said.
“Till 11 am the voter turnout is 36.09 percent. It has been by and large peaceful so far,” a senior Election Commission (EC) official said.
PTI
West Bengal Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Derek O’Brien alleges ‘grave discrepancies’ in voter turnout figures
Alleging grave discrepancies, TMC’s Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’ Brien wrote to Election Commission, saying, “Voter turnout for ACs Kanthi Dakshin (216) and Kanthi Uttar (213) at 9:13 am was 18.47 percent and 18.95 percent respectively. Four minutes later at 9:17am voter turnout reduced to 10.60 percent and 9:40 percent. Such discrepancy raises question on genuineness of data issued by Election Commission."
West Bengal Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
36.09% voter turnout till 12 pm
According to the Election Commission’s data, 36.09 percent voter turnout recorded till 12 pm in the first phase of polling in the West Bengal Assembly elections.
Assam Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
‘People know CAA, NRC won’t affect them,’ says Sarbananda Sonowal
Sarbananda Sonowal was quoted as saying by ANI, “Congress and other parties are only seen in the media but BJP and its allies are the ones on the ground. People of Assam now know that CAA-NRC will not affect them. My aim is to make the BJP government in the state again.”
Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Cast vote against divisive forces, says Rahul Gandhi
Rahul Gandhi urged voters on Saturday to cast their ballots against “divisive forces” to strengthen democracy as polling began for the first phase of the Assembly elections in West Bengal and Assam.
लोकतंत्र मज़बूत करने के लिए बाँटने वाली ताक़तों के विरुद्ध अपना वोट ज़रूर डालें।
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 27, 2021
जय हिंद!
West Bengal Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Voters being influenced, stopped from voting, says Suvendu Adhikari’s brother
Soumendu Adhikari, BJP leader and brother of Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday told ANI that voters are being influenced and stopped from voting at booth number 149. He also said that EVM malfunctioning is being witnessed at some locations, adding that the Election Commission is looking into it.
Assam Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Sarbananda Sonowal, Debrata Saikia among key candidates in first phase
Among the key candidates in the first phase of polling are Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Speaker Hitendranath Goswami and Debrata Saikia, the leader of opposition in the state. A total of 264 candidates, including 23 women, are in the fray in the first phase.
West Bengal Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
BJP delegation to meet top Bengal poll official at 2 pm
A Bharatiya Janata Party delegation led by the party’s Bengal in-charge Kailash Vijayvargiya will meet the Chief Electoral Officer in the state at 2 pm, News18 reported.
Assam Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
9.47 turnout recorded in first two hours
An estimated 9.47 percent of the total 81.09 lakh electors exercised their franchise till 9 am in 47 constituencies of Assam where polling is underway with strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols in the first phase of elections on Saturday.
While the polling so far has been peaceful, some complaints of EVM glitches were lodged, an Election Commission official said.
Long queues were seen outside polling booths with voters and election officials adhering to COVID-19 protocols.
First voters in many polling stations were greeted with saplings.
PTI
Assam Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Vote for progress, golden future of Assam, says Priyanka Gandhi Vadra
As polling began for the first phase of assembly elections in Assam, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday urged the people to vote for progress and golden future of the state.
The Congress-led ‘Mahajot’ alliance is seeking to wrest power from the BJP in Assam which is voting in three phases starting on Saturday. The counting of votes will be on 2 May.
“Today, the first phase of polling is being held in Assam. I appeal to the people of Assam, especially the youth and my sisters, to go to the polling booths today and vote in large numbers,” Priyanka Gandhi said in a Facebook post in Hindi.
“Vote for progress and golden future of Assam,” said the Congress general secretary, who has campaigned in the state.
PTI
West Bengal Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Polling largely peaceful in early hours
Sporadic incidents of violence were reported from some areas that are voting in the first phase of the Assembly elections in West Bengal on Saturday, even as the overall poll situation was peaceful with 14.28 per cent turnout recorded till 9 am, officials said.
Elections are being held in 30 seats, most of which are in the once-Naxal-affected Jungle Mahal region, across five districts amid tight security, they said.
A man, in his mid-30s, was found dead in Keshiary’s Begumpur area in the Paschim Medinipur district in the morning, police said.
He has been identified as Mangal Soren, they said, adding that his body was found outside his home.
The BJP claimed that Soren was their supporter and was allegedly killed by TMC ‘goons’, a charge rubbished by the ruling party.
PTI
West Bengal Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Voter turnout till 9. 50 am in West Bengal
- Bankura: 18.36%
- Jhargram: 16.17%
- Paschim Medinipur: 16.75%
- Purba Medinipur: 13.70%
- Purulia: 13.97%
Assam Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
EVM snags reported from Mariani, Lahoal
EVM snags have been reported at three voting centres of Mariani in Assam, News18 reported.. Meanwhile, at Ujoni Hatimora polling station in Lahoal Assembly Constituency, voting is yet to start due to technical glitch in EVM.
Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Assam records 8.84% turnout, Bengal sees 7.72% voting percentage till 9 am
According to the Election Commission’s data, Assam and West Bengal recorded a voter turnout of 8.84 percent and 7.72 percent respectively till 9 am.
West Bengal Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
‘Bengal’s daughter will defeat Bengal’s traitor’: Derek O’Brien
🏁May2. Trinamool will win Bengal. 🏁
— Derek O'Brien | ডেরেক ও'ব্রায়েন (@derekobrienmp) March 27, 2021
1️⃣Bengal's Daughter will defeat Bengal's Traitor in his 'backyard' in Nandigram.
2️⃣Mo-Sha and members of the Tourist Gang will continue trying to destroy every institution
3️⃣Women in Bengal will continue to wear saris any way they want.
West Bengal Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
BJP complains to EC about TMC candidate ‘distributing cash’ among voters
The BJP on Friday drew the attention of the Election Commission to a video in which a Trinamool Congress candidate is seen allegedly distributing cash among the electorate.
The BJP also made complaints about TMC workers “unleashing terror” in poll-bound districts in collusion with a section of the state police.
In a letter to the poll panel, the saffron party attached links of the video, released on Friday, which showed an ex-minister and a TMC candidate from Purulia purportedly distributing cash among the voters.
“It is a blatant violation of the model code of conduct that says all parties and candidates shall avoid scrupulously all activities which are corrupt practices and offences under the election law,” the letter signed by senior state BJP leaders said.
PTI
Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Choose govt that upholds Constitution, Manmohan Singh urges Assam voters
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in a video appeal to the people of Assam ahead of the first round of voting for state elections tomorrow, urged them to “vote wisely” and vote for a government that upholds the constitution and democracy.
Manmohan Singh, 88, was a Rajya Sabha member from Assam from 1991 to 2019, after which he was elected to the Upper House of Parliament from Rajasthan. “For many years Assam has been my second home,” said the senior Congress leader.
“The people of Assam enabled me to serve our country as Finance Minister of India for five years and as Prime Minister for 10 years. Today I am speaking as one of you. Once again the time has come for you to cast your ballot… You must vote wisely,” Dr Singh urged.
Under the leadership of late Shri Tarun Gogoi, Assam made a new beginning towards peace & development. However it is now facing a serious set-back, society is being divided on the basis of religion, culture & language, rights of people being denied.: Former PM, Dr. Manmohan Singh pic.twitter.com/fTAJCQazqD
— Congress (@INCIndia) March 26, 2021
West Bengal Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Tight security in Bengal
Elections in West Bengal are being held amid tight security with the Election Commission deploying around 730 companies of central forces, guarding 10,288 polling booths housed in 7,061 premises, officials told PTI.
Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
BJP seeks to retain power in Assam; TMC looks to win third straight term in Bengal
The BJP is hoping to retain power in Assam and defeat the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal. The TMC is looking to win a third straight term in Bengal.
Assam and Bengal will have three-phase and eight-phase elections, respectively. The counting of votes will be on May 2
Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
EVM glitches reported from Kharagpur
According to media reports, voting on Saturday was stopped in Kharagpur after EVM malfunctions were reported from polling booth 98 and 99.
Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Modi urges people to vote in record numbers
Narendra Modi on Saturday urged people to cast votes in record numbers in the first phase of assembly elections in West Bengal and Assam.
“The first phase of elections begin in Assam. Urging those eligible to vote in record numbers. I particularly call upon my young friends to vote.
“Today, Phase 1 of the West Bengal Assembly elections begin. I would request all those who are voters in the seats polling today to exercise their franchise in record numbers,” he tweeted.
Today, Phase 1 of the West Bengal Assembly elections begin. I would request all those who are voters in the seats polling today to exercise their franchise in record numbers.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 27, 2021
Assam Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Polling begins in Assam
Voting began at 7 am on Saturday for 47 seats in the first phase of the assembly elections in Assam to decide the fate of Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, and a host of ministers and Opposition leaders, officials said.
Altogether 264 candidates, including 23 women, are in the fray in the first phase, they said.
A total of 300 companies of security forces have been deployed in the first phase, in which people are voting at 11,537 polling stations across 12 districts of Upper Assam and the Northern Bank of Brahmaputra.
Patrolling has been intensified and strict vigil is being kept in all the vulnerable areas, officials said.
PTI
People queuing up to vote in Dibrugarh
Image credit: Simantik Dowerah/Firstpost
Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Here are identity proofs that you can carry to voting booths
One can carry any of these mentioned identity proofs while voting.
Voter ID card issued by Election Commission of India (ECI)
MNREGA Job Card
Bank/Post Office Passbooks with photograph
Driving License
PAN Card
Indian Passport
Pension document with photograph
Service Identity Cards with photograph issued by Central/State Govt./PSUs/Public Limited Companies
West Bengal Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Polling begins for 30 seats in first phase of Bengal elections
Polling began at 7 am on Saturday for the 30 seats in the first phase of the assembly elections in West Bengal amid tight security, officials said.
More than 73 lakh voters are eligible to exercise their franchise to decide the fate of 191 candidates in these seats, most of which are located in the once-Naxal-affected Jungle Mahal region.
The elections are being held following COVID-19 guidelines in all nine seats in Purulia, four in Bankura, four in Jhargram and six in Paschim Medinipur, besides the seven seats in high-stakes Purba Medinipur — the home turf of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari.
PTI
West Bengal Assembly election 2021 LATEST Updates
EC vehicle set ablaze in Bengal’s Purulia district
A vehicle hired for poll duty was set ablaze at Bandwan in Purulia district on Friday night, hours before the first phase of assembly elections get underway, official sources told PTI.
The vehicle was reportedly on its way back after dropping election officials at a polling station, when it was set on fire at Tulsidi village in the once-Maoist-affected ‘Jangalmahal’ belt of the state, they said.
According to eyewitnesses, the vehicle was stopped by a few persons who emerged out of the forests all of a sudden and allegedly threw a petrol-soaked material on it, before fleeing.
No one was injured in the incident, the sources said.
PTI
West Bengal Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Phase 1 of West Bengal Assembly election today
The West Bengal districts going to polls in Phase 1 on Saturday are Purulia, Bankura, Jhargram, Paschim Midnapore Part 1 and Purba Midnapore Part 1. Overall there are 30 seats that will go to polls on 27 March.
Assembly Election 2021 LATEST Updates
Bengal, Assam will go to polls in Phase 1 today
Politically volatile states of West Bengal and Assam will go to polls in the first phase of assembly elections on Saturday amid a resurgent COVID-19 crisis to decide the fate of a number of top politicians including Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.
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