Assembly polls, Phase 1: WB records 81 per cent voting, Assam 78 per cent

Kolkata/Assam: Over 81 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the first part of the first phase Assembly poll in West Bengal on Monday, which passed off without any major incident, according to the Election Commission. Voting took place in 18 constituencies spread over West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia which make up Jangalmahal.

Polling in 13 Left Wing Extremism-affected constituencies ended early at 4 pm while in others it went on till 6 pm. Meanwhile, Assam saw a high turnout of 78.06 per cent of its 95,11,732 electorate in the first phase of the assembly polls held in 65 constituencies amidst tight security on Monday.

The polling ended at 5 pm and there was no untoward incident reported from anywhere, EC sources said. Voting was conducted in 2,190 polling stations spread across upper Assam, two hill districts, northern bank of Brahmaputra and Barak Valley to determine the political destiny of 539 contestants, including CM Tarun Gogoi and union minister and BJP chief ministerial candidate Sarbananda Sonowal.

People queued up before the polling booths since morning where CCTV cameras were put up and web-casting facilities provided to ensure free and fair election. Many booths wore a festive look as they were decorated with festoons and buntings of various colours and balloons.

93 EVMs replaced in Assam
At least 93 Electronic Voting Machines malfunctioned and were replaced during the first phase of Assembly polls in 65 constituencies in Assam, where the two-phase election process started on Monday.

Election Commission officials said the number was likely to go up as the day comes to an end. The highest number of malfunctioning EVMs were witnessed in Sivasagar election district. As many as 12 machines at different places in three constituencies - Sivasagar, Amguri and Thowra were changed.