The 18 constituencies in the Jangalmahal region of West Bengal witnessed a huge turnout with more than 80 per cent of the electorate exercising the franchise on Monday.
The Election Commission said the overall turnout in the three districts of Paschim Medinipur, Purulia and Bankura stood at 80.92 per cent. While the six constituencies in Paschim Medinipur recorded the highest turnout of 81.66 per cent, the nine of Purulia came a close second with 80.18 per cent. Bankura, where three constituencies went to the polls, recorded 80.59 per cent.
Underlining the concerns surrounding the polls in the constituencies, a majority of which are deemed to fall under regions influenced by Left-wing extremism, State Chief Electoral Officer Sunil Kumar Gupta said the polling was generally peaceful. “We are not lowering our guard until all polling personnel return safely and electronic voting machines are safely deposited at recording rooms,” he said.
The commission has recommended re-polling at one booth in the Taldanga constituency in Bankura, while a presiding officer at Balarampur in Purulia was removed after allegations of influencing voters. Mr. Gupta said that in at least two cases, State police personnel found inside polling premises were removed.
A multi-layered security ring was put in place across the 13 constituencies which have a history of Maoist violence.
While Opposition parties said the Central armed police forces should be used more judiciously, all parties claimed that the polling was peaceful.
Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress president Mamata Banerjee said the first phase of voting in Jangalmahal was peaceful. Communist Party of India (Marxist) MP and Polit Bureau member Mohammad Salim echoed the conclusion.
The key candidates contesting the polls include the Trinamool’s Sukumar Hansda contesting from Jhargram, CPI(M)’s Pulin Bihari Baske from Gopiballavpur and Congress MLA Nepal Mahato from Baghmundi.
