West Bengal records highest-ever poll participation since 1947

Vote casting. Photo collected.

Dhaka, April 30 - West Bengal has recorded a historic voter turnout of 92.47 per cent in the two-phase Assembly elections, the highest in the state since Independence.

In Phase II, polling stood at 91.66 per cent as of 7:45 pm, while Phase I, held on April 23, recorded a turnout of 93.19 per cent. The combined participation across both phases was calculated at 92.47 per cent.

“The combined poll percentage over the two phases stands at 92.47%. Previously, the highest poll participation in West Bengal was 84.72% (2011 GELA),” the Press Information Bureau of India said, referring to the Election Commission.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Dr. S.S. Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi, kept a close watch on the polling through live webcasting, which was ensured at 100% of the polling stations in West Bengal (Phase II), according to the PIB.

The state has a voter base of 6.81 crore. The Election Commission said women voters slightly outnumbered men in participation, with 92.28 per cent compared to 91.07 per cent for male voters.

Previously, West Bengal’s highest turnout was in the 2011 Assembly elections at 84.72 per cent. Tripura holds the national record for the highest poll participation, with 93.61 per cent in the 2013 Assembly elections.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar praised the turnout, saying the Election Commission salutes every voter in West Bengal for the record participation. The Commission also noted high turnout in other states, including Assam and Puducherry, which recorded their highest-ever participation.

Counting of votes for West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam, and Puducherry will be held on the 4th of next month. Simultaneously, counting for several Assembly by-elections across Karnataka, Nagaland, Tripura, Maharashtra, and Gujarat will also take place. - UNB