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West Bengal election 2021 LATEST Updates: Congress MP and the party’s West Bengal chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Thursday cast his vote for the final phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections at a polling booth in Murshidabad. In Maniktala constituency of Kolkata, BJP candidate Kalyan Choubey was gheraoed by a group of people during his visit to the polling booths. In the last phase of polling in West Bengal, 50.49 percent voter turnout was recorded till 1.15 pm, with the highest turnout in Murshidabad district (58.85 percent). As polling for the final phase of Bengal Assembly polls was underway, bombs were hurled in front of Mahajati Sadan in central Kolkata. Huge police contingent deployed in the area, PTI reported. As per the Election Commission, exit polls for West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry can be published at 7.30 pm on Thursday — an hour after polling in Bengal ends. Voting at booth number 188 in Birbhum during the eighth and final phase of West Bengal Assembly polls on Thursday was delayed by half an hour due to a “glitch” in the Electronic Voting Machine, reported ANI. Security measures have been heightened in view of the violence in the previous phases, particularly the death of five people in Cooch Behar in the fourth round of polling on 10 April, an election official told PTI. In the eighth and the last phase of Assembly polls in West Bengal, 35 constituencies across four districts are voting on Thursday. Among these, six are in Malda, eleven in Birbhum, eleven in Murshidabad, and seven in Kolkata. The state, where elections began on 27 March, completed its seventh phase of polling on 26 April. A total of 283 candidates are in the fray for the 35 seats in Bengal Assembly elections where security measures have been heightened in view of the violence in the previous phases, particularly the death of five people in Cooch Behar in the fourth round of polling on 10 April, an Election Commission official said. The poll panel has decided to deploy at least 641 companies of central forces, including 224 in Birbhum district, in the eighth phase to ensure free and fair voting, he said. Voting will be held at 11,860 polling stations spread over 11 Assembly constituencies each in Murshidabad and Birbhum, six in Malda and seven in Kolkata. The counting of votes is on 2 May. Polling will also enter its final phase in panchayat Uttar Pradesh where the fourth and final phase of the Uttar Pradesh panchayat elections is being held amid a raging second wave of COVID-19. Meanwhile, the poll panel has placed Trinamool Congress Birbhum district president Anubrata Mondal under strict surveillance till Friday 7 am, as the chief electoral officer in the state has received “several complaints againsthim”, the official said. Two TMC ministers - Shashi Panja and Sadhan Pandey - are contesting from Shyampukur and Maniktala seats in north Kolkata respectively. Three-cornered contests are expected in many of the 17 constituencies in Malda and Murshidabad districts where the Left-Congress-ISF combine has a stronghold apart from the TMC and the BJP. The poll panel will also put in place measures to ensure strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols during the voting process, the official said. West Bengal on Wednesday logged 17,207 fresh COVID-19cases, the highest-single day spike recorded in the state so far, pushing the tally to 7,93,552, a bulletin issued by the health department said. The death toll climbed to 11,159 with 77 more fatalities which is also the maximum count during a day, itsaid. Campaigning for the eighth and final phase has been a low-key affair, following curbs imposed by the EC in the wake of the second wave of COVID-19 cases in the state. The EC has banned roadshows and vehicle rallies in the state and noted that the COVID safety norms were being flouted in West Bengal during campaigning. It also disallowed any public meeting with more than500 people. Leaders of political parties chose either the virtualplatform or small street-corner meetings for campaigning, which ended on 26 April evening. UP Panchyat polls Over 5.27 lakh candidates are in the fray for more than 2.10 lakh seats across 17 districts in the final round of the panchayat election in Uttar Pradesh. More than 2.98 crore voters will be casting their votes in the fourth and last phase of the polls which will be held from 7 am to 6 pm, officials said. The polling is scheduled in the districts of Ambedkar Nagar, Aligarh, Kushinagar, Kaushambi, Ghazipur, Farrukhabad, Bulandshahr, Basti, Bahraich, Banda, Mau, Mathura, Shahjahanpur, Sambhal, Sitapur, Sonbhadra and Hapur, the State Election Commission (SEC) said. According to the poll body, there are 10,679 candidates in the fray for 738 posts of zila panchayat members in the final phase. A total of 55,408 candidates are contesting for 18,356 posts of kshetra panchayat members. While 1,14,400 candidates are in the fray for posts of gram panchayat members, 3,47,436 contestants are fighting for 1,77,648 posts in gram panchayat wards, it said. The candidates will contest on ‘free symbols’ given by the State Election Commission. With inputs from PTI
West Bengal election 2021 LIVE Updates: Eight-phased polls come to an end; 76.70% turnout today till 6.30 pm
West Bengal election LIVE updates: A total of 35 seats went to polls in the eight and final phase of the West Bengal Assembly election on Thursday
 "West Bengal election 2021 LIVE Updates: Eight-phased polls come to an end; 76.70% turnout today till 6.30 pm")
West Bengal election 2021 LATEST Updates
Bengal records 76.07% turnout as polls close at 6.30 pm
The overall voter turnout in the final phase of the West Bengal Assembly election was 76.07 percent as of 6.30 pm on Thursday.
Birbhum: 81.82 percent
Kolkata North: 57.85 percent
Malda: 79.98 percent
Murshidabad: 78.09 percent
West Bengal election 2021 LATEST Updates
Bengal sees 69.79% polling till 5 pm
Birbhum: 74.41 percent
Kolkata North: 51.64 percent
Malda: 71.99 percent
Murshidabad: 74.70 percent
West Bengal election 2021 LATEST Updates
Firecrackers used outside Mahajati Sadan, not bombs, says report
Firecrackers were set off outside Mahajati Sadan in central Kolkata on Thursday morning, which were initially alleged to be crude bombs, an official said. The incident, which happened on Central Avenue in the heart of the city soon after polling began in the area, triggered panic among the people.
“Preliminary probe revealed that banned firecrackers were set off and not bombs,” the official at the Chief Electoral Officer’s office said.
West Bengal election 2021 LATEST Updates
West Bengal records 68.46% voter turnout till 4 pm
The voter turnout in West Bengal was 68.46 percent till 4 pm in the eight and final phase of the Assembly election in the state.
Birbhum: 73.88 percent
Kolkata North: 51.64 percent
Malda: 70.80 percent
Murshidabad: 70.91 percent
West Bengal election 2021 LATEST Updates
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury casts vote in Murshidabad
Congress MP and the party’s West Bengal chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Thursday cast his vote for the final phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections at a polling booth in Murshidabad.
West Bengal election 2021 LATEST Updates
Visuals from voting underway in Malda district
Covid Protocol maintained at the Polling Stations under Malda District.#WestBengalElections2021@ECISVEEP @SpokespersonECI @rajivkumarec @PIBKolkata pic.twitter.com/FoMb1FLA0N
— CEO West Bengal (@CEOWestBengal) April 29, 2021
West Bengal election 2021 LATEST Updates
56.28% voter turnout recorded till 2.55 pm
In the last phase of polling in West Bengal, 56.28% voter turnout was recorded till 2.55 pm. Here is the district-wise break-up of the voter turnout:
Birbhum – 60.31 percent
Kolkata North – 41.73 percent
Malda – 58.71 percent
Murshidabad – 58.86 percent
West Bengal election 2021 LATEST Updates
WATCH: TMC supporters gherao BJP candidate’s car in Kolkata
In Maniktala constituency of Kolkata, BJP candidate Kalyan Choubey was gheraoed by a group of people during his visit to the polling booths.
“Our polling agent was sitting inside when a 50-year-old woman came to vote instead of a 31-year-old woman. When the agent objected, she was scolded. This is hooliganism of TMC,” Choubey told ANI.
#WATCH | TMC supporters gherao car of BJP candidate Kalyan Chaubey in Maniktala, North Kolkata. He says, "Our polling agent was sitting inside when a 50-yr-old woman came to vote instead of a 31-yr-old woman. When the agent objected she was scolded. This is hooliganism of TMC." pic.twitter.com/2aTzFdWevc
— ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2021
West Bengal election 2021 LATEST Updates
EC deploys drones for surveillance at polling booths
Drones are being used for surveillance the Election Commission at polling booths as the last phase of Assembly elections is underway in the area. The EC had announced that 5,433 booths are extremely sensitive where 24 general observers, nine expenditure observers and nine police observers have been deployed for the eighth phase.
Crude bombs were hurled in front of Mahajati Sadan in central Kolkata earlier today.
Drone Surveillance at Collin Institute under 162 Chowrangee Assembly Constituency of North Kolkata Election District.#WestBengalElections2021@ECISVEEP @SpokespersonECI @rajivkumarec @PIBKolkata pic.twitter.com/yy2a5XJZ44
— CEO West Bengal (@CEOWestBengal) April 29, 2021
West Bengal election 2021 LATEST Updates
TMC raises ‘inadequacies’ in counting process
Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy said the party has submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission, which highlights the ‘inadequacies’ in its direction for counting of votes on 2 May. The memorandum states that no provision seeks the submission of negative RT-PCR test reports by polling officers and CAPF personnel.
“The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) said the arrangements are being made to have testing for everybody, but he has no instructions have been issued as far as central forces are concerned,” Roy said.
Trinamool Congress writes to Election Commission of India regarding 'inadequacies' in its direction for counting of votes on May 2; says no provision has been made for submission of negative RT-PCR test by polling officers and CAPF personnel https://t.co/7UpL6lQiAO pic.twitter.com/hQt3HtrBGZ
— ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2021
West Bengal election 2021 LATEST Updates
50.49% voter turnout recorded till 1.15 pm
In the last phase of polling in West Bengal, 50.49% voter turnout was recorded till 1.15 pm. Here is the district-wise break-up of the voter turnout:
Birbhum – 49.46 percent
Kolkata North – 39.55 percent
Malda – 52.63 percent
Murshidabad – 58.86 percent
West Bengal election 2021 LATEST Updates
EC deploys 646 companies of central forces during last phase
The Election Commission has deployed 646 companies of central forces for the last phase of polling with Birbhum having the highest deployment of 225 companies for its 11 constituencies. A total of 215 companies of central forces will be used for the 11 constituencies in Murshidabad, 110 companies for six constituencies in Malda, while North Kolkata will have the lowest deployment of 96 companies for seven constituencies.
West Bengal election 2021 LATEST Updates
Incidents of violence mar last phase of polling
One person was killed and two others injured as a car hit them in Murshidabad district, triggering tension in the area, a police officer said. The CPM alleged that its member Kader Mondal (42) was killed, and two others – Asim Al Mamoon (43) and Lal Chand Mondal (42) – sustained injuries after TMC candidate Jafikul Islam ran his car over them.
In the city’s Beliaghata area, clashes broke out between two groups of people, following which the police resorted to a mild lathi charge to disperse them. Two persons, who identified themselves as BJP activists, alleged that they were roughed up by TMC workersduring the melee.
In Nanoor constituency of violence-prone Birbhum district, BJP candidate Tarakeshwar Saha reportedy suffered injuries after his vehicle was ransacked. In Maniktala constituency of Kolkata, BJP candidate Kalyan Choubey was gheraoed by a group of people during his visit to the polling booths.
West Bengal election 2021 LATEST Updates
Excellent work being done by EC and CAPF: Guv Jagdish Dhankhar after voting
Election is the greatest festival in democracy and we both have voted. COVID-19 protocols are being followed 100%. I’m very happy with the arrangements. Excellent work being done by the EC and CAPF. Democracy is powered only by your votes. Anyone who doesn’t vote loses the right to grievance, said the West Bengal governor.
Dhankhar and his wife Dhankhar voted at a polling booth in Chowringhee, Kolkata, on Thursday during the eighth and final phase of Assembly polls.
West Bengal election 2021 LATEST Updates
Guv Jagdeep Dhankhar votes in Chowringhee
West Bengal governor Jagdeep Dhankhar and his wife Sudesh, voted at a booth in Kolkata’s Chowringhee during the eighth and final phase of state Assembly polls on Thursday.
West Bengal election 2021 LATEST Updates
Bomb hurled near polling booth in north Kolkata
A bomb was hurled near the Mahajati Sadan Auditorium in north Kolkata on Thursday during the final phase of Bengal Assembly polls, ANI reported. The Election Commission has sought details of the incident.
West Bengal: A bomb was hurled near Mahajati Sadan Auditorium in north Kolkata today. Election Commission has sought details of the incident. Details awaited. pic.twitter.com/hbhikPorZo
— ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2021
West Bengal election 2021 LATEST Updates
23% of candidates in phase 8 have criminal cases: ADR
According to a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), out of the 283 candidates contesting in the last phase of the West Bengal polls, 23 percent have declared criminal cases against themselves.
The West Bengal Election Watch and the ADR have analysed the self-sworn affidavits of all the 283 candidates from 35 constituencies, who are contesting in the polls to be held on 29 April.
“Out of 283 candidates analysed, 64 (23 percent) candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves and 50 (18 percent) have declared serious criminal cases against themselves,” the report said.
Twelve candidates have declared cases related to crime against women while six candidates have declared cases related to murder (Indian Penal Code Section-302) against themselves. The report said that 17 candidates have declared cases related to attempt to murder (IPC Section-307) against themselves.
West Bengal election 2021 LATEST Updates
Virtual rallies, curtailed hours mark campaigning in Phase 8
With the EC banning roadshows and vehicle rallies in the state after the recent surge in COVID-19 cases across the country as well as in West Bengal, leaders of political parties chose to either campaign virtually or hold small rallies with a maximum of 500 participants.
The EC has booked and show-caused several candidates for flouting the COVID-19 safety norms. TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee and her party MP Abhishek Banerjee held virtual campaigns as did Prime Minister Narendra Modi from New Delhi.
BJP president JP Nadda, its West Bengal head Dilip Ghosh, Bollywood superstar Mithun Chakraborty and other star campaigners like Smriti Irani held small rallies to campaign for the party’s candidates contesting in the eighth phase of polling. The BJP leaders attacked Banerjee and her nephew and other party leaders alleging that they were involved in the Saradha and Narada tapes scams. The saffron party also claimed that they were responsible for siphoning of funds allocated for Amphan cyclone and COVID-19 pandemic relief.
West Bengal election 2021 LATEST Updates
16.04% voter turnout till 9.30 am
According to the latest data released by the Election Commission on voting percentage during phase 8 of Bengal Assembly polls, the state has recorded a voter turnout of 16.04 percent till 9.31 am on Thursday.
West Bengal election 2021 LATEST Updates
Exit poll results after 7.30 pm today
With West Bengal slated to hold its eight and final phase of polling today (Thursday, 29 April) all eyes will be glued to the exit polls for four states and one Union Territory.
As per the Election Commission, exit polls for West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry can be published at 7.30 pm today (29 April, Thursday) — an hour after polls close.
Votes will be counted on 2 May.
West Bengal election 2021 LATEST Updates
BJP’s Mithun Chakraborty votes in Kashipur-Belgachia
Actor-turned-politician Mithun Chakraborty voted at a polling station in Kashipur-Belgachia, north Kolkata, for the final phase of West Bengal polls on Thursday. “I had never voted so peacefully ever before. I must congratulate all the security personnel,” the BJP leader said.
Actor and BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty cast his vote for the final phase of #WestBengalPolls, at a polling station in Kashipur-Belgachia, North Kolkata
— ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2021
He says, "I had never voted so peacefully ever before. I must congratulate all the security personnel." pic.twitter.com/3nXS3UvkDI
West Bengal election 2021 LATEST Updates
EVM ‘glitch’ delays voting in Birbhum
Voting at booth number 188 in Birbhum during the eighth and final phase of West Bengal Assembly polls on Thursday was delayed by half an hour due to a “glitch” in the Electronic Voting Machine, reported ANI.
Voting began with a half an hour delay due to a glitch in the EVM, at polling booth number 188 in Birbhum.
— ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2021
Voters are casting their votes for the eighth and final phase of #WestBengalElections today. pic.twitter.com/eXIp3aZf58
West Bengal election 2021 LATEST Updates
PM asks people to cast votes following COVID-19 protocols
With the eighth and last phase of the West Bengal Assembly polls underway on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called upon people to cast their votes to enrich the festival of democracy while following COVID-19 protocols.
Modi tweeted, “Last phase of the 2021 West Bengal elections takes place today. In line with the COVID-19 protocols, I call upon people to cast their vote and enrich the festival of democracy.”
Polling began at 7 am on Thursday for 35 seats in the eighth phase of the Assembly elections in West Bengal amid the surging second wave of COVID-19.
West Bengal election 2021 LATEST Updates
Key candidates and seats
While 11 candidates each have been fielded by the Trinamool Congress, BSP and BJP, CPM is contesting in four seats, Congress in three, AIFB in 2 and RSP (1), the EC sources said.
There are four Independent candidates in the fray as well. The focus in this phase of polling will be on five Assembly constituencies in Kolkata north — Beleghata, Jorsanko, Shyampukur, Maniktala, Kashipur-Belgachia — as a neck and neck contest is expected between TMC heavyweights and BJP challengers.
In Shyampukur seat, state minister for Women and Child Development and Social Welfare Shashi Panja is contesting against BJP’s Sandipan Biswas and AIFB’s Jiban Prakash Saha. In Beleghata, TMC has fielded Paresh Paul against BJP’s Kashinath Biswas and CPM’s Rajib Biswas.
In Jorasnko, BJP has named Meena Devi Purohit against TMC’s Vivek Gupta and Congress’ Ajmal Khan. The TMC has named Atin Ghosh in Kashipur-Belgachia against BJP candidate Sibaji Sinha Roy and CPM’s Pratip Dasgupta.
_**Read full article here…**_West Bengal election 2021 LATEST Updates
How to locate your polling station
The most basic unit of the electoral process in India is the polling station, where eligible citizens go to vote for their preferred candidate. To locate your polling station, voters may use the services of the Voter Helpline App developed by the Election Commission for this purpose.
Voters can also log on to the official website of the Election Commission — electoralsearch.in — to search for their polling station. Voters can access the page using this direct link.
The voter helpline number 1950 will also help voters locate polling station. You can call this number after adding the STD code (011 in this case) or get the details by sending an SMS to 1950 with space .
West Bengal election 2021 LATEST Updates
Voters queue outside Malda polling booth
West Bengal election 2021 LATEST Updates
Full list of 35 Assembly seats voting in phase 8
Of the total 35 seats, six constituencies are in Malda, 11 in Murshidabad, seven in Kolkata North and 11 in Birbhum districts, Election Commission sources said. Polling will be held in 11,860 polling stations in the 35 constituencies. Here is the full list of constituencies going to polls today:
Manikchak Malda
Maldaha (SC) Malda
English Bazar Malda
Mothabari Malda
Sujapur Malda
Baisnabnagar Malda
Khargram (SC) Murshidabad
Burwan (SC) Murshidabad
Kandi Murshidabad
Bharatpur Murshidabad
Rejinagar Murshidabad
Beldanga Murshidabad
Baharampur Murshidabad
Hariharpara Murshidabad
Nowda Murshidabad
Domkal Murshidabad
Jalangi Murshidabad
Chowrangee Kolkata North
Entally Kolkata North
Beleghata Kolkata North
Jorasanko Kolkata North
Shyampukur Kolkata North
Maniktala Kolkata North
Kashipur-Belgachhia Kolkata North
Dubrajpur (SC) Birbhum
Suri Birbhum
Bolpur Birbhum
Nanoor (SC) Birbhum
Labpur Birbhum
Sainthia (SC) Birbhum
Mayureswar Birbhum
Rampurhat Birbhum
Hansan Birbhum
Nalhati Birbhum
Murarai Birbhum
West Bengal election 2021 LATEST Updates
At least 641 companies of CAPF deployed in phase 8
Security measures have been heightened in view of the violence in the previous phases, particularly the death of five people in Cooch Behar in the fourth round of polling on 10 April, an election official told PTI.
The poll panel has decided to deploy at least 641 companies of central forces, including 224 in Birbhum district, in the eighth phase to ensure free and fair voting, he said.
West Bengal election 2021 LATEST Updates
Phase 8 polling in 35 seats across four districts
Polling for the eighth and final phase of the West Bengal Assembly Election will be held today (29 April Thursday) between 7 am to 6.30 pm amid strict COVID-19 guidelines.
The election will seal the fate of 283 candidates who are in the fray for 35 seats in Malda, Murshidabad, Kolkata North and Birbhum.
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