The fifth phase of the general elections in the State witnessed 79.96 per cent of votes being cast in 17 constituencies. This is slightly lower than the 82.07 per cent turnout in 2009 in the constituencies that went to polls in the final phase. In the last phase of polling in West Bengal, the Kolkata (Uttar) constituency recorded the lowest turnout of 64.66 per cent, while Tamluk in Purba Medinipur district recorded the highest, 86.38 per cent polling. Compared to the 2009 elections, the Kolkata (Uttar) constituency recorded a marginal increase in turnout. In 2009, the constituency witnessed 64.30 per cent polling. The Kolkata (Dakshin) constituency that recorded 67.57 per cent votes being cast witnessed a marginal decrease compared to the 2009 general elections when it recorded 67 per cent turnout. The Tamluk constituency in 2009 recorded 90.41 polling. Despite allegations of rigging and electoral malpractices against the Trinamool Congress by the Opposition parties, State Chief Electoral Officer Sunil Gupta told reporters that “apart from some stray incidents, the overall polling in the State has been peaceful and there was no report of the polling process being interrupted.”
He also said that no deaths occurred due to political clashes in the fifth phase and there were no reports of poll boycott either.
In total, 20 persons were injured. In the Haroa area of North 24 Parganas district, 14 persons were injured in a clash between two parties. The condition of four is critical and they are undergoing treatment at a local hospital. “After the clash, a strong contingent of police personnel was sent to the area. The police have arrested 12 people so far,” said Mr. Gupta.
In the Joynagar constituency in South 24 Parganas district, the presiding officer was removed, after reports of “proxy votes” by Trinamool Congress supporters reached the Election Commission. An FIR has been lodged against the TMC supporter. In Haroa too the presiding officer was removed by the EC.
Another clash between the TMC and the CPI (M) workers took place in Keshpur Paschim Medinipur district, when some CPI (M) workers were returning from polling stations. In the Kamarhati in North 24 Parganas district, five persons were arrested and three cases lodged in connection with a local CPI (M) office being ransacked by miscreants. An alleged assault on a pregnant voter by TMC supporters took place in the Panihati area in north Kolkata. “Cases have been lodged under the Arms Act and other sections of the IPC. The police are conducting raids to apprehend the accused,” said Mr. Gupta. The CPI (M) party office in Kasba area in south Kolkata was ransacked and polling agents were locked inside many booths, alleged local CPI (M) cadre. Re-polling in 11 polling booths will take place on Tuesday. These booths went to poll April 30 in the third phase.
