Over 80% voter turnout in Bengal, Assam sees 73% polling in second phase

West Bengal recorded a voter turnout of 80.53 per cent on Thursday, while the figure stood at 73.03 per cent for Assam in the second phase of assembly polls in the two states. The Election Commission said these figures were till 5 pm. Polling for the first phase in both states was held on Saturday (March 27). The third phase will be conducted on April 6 along with Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry elections. The counting of votes will take place on May 2.

Bengal, Assam second phase polling | Big Points

• The second phase of polls in the two states were held peacefully across 21,212 polling stations spread over 69 assembly constituencies, the election commission said.
• “The voter turnout reported by 5 pm from the 39 assembly constituencies of phase 2 in Assam is 73.03 per cent.
• The poll percentage reported from the 30 assembly constituencies of phase 2 in West Bengal is 80.43 per cent as of 5 pm,” the Commission said in a statement.

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• It said the “non-functioning rate” of electronic voting machines during the poll is lesser than experienced in last few polls.
• During this phase, a total of 10,620 ballot units, and an equal number of control units and VVPATs were used in West Bengal.
• In Assam, 10,819 ballot units, 10,592 control units and as many VVPATs were used. One control unit, at least one ballot unit and one VVPAT form one EVM.

• The poll panel later said 55 ballot units, 54 control units and 169 VVPATs were replaced in Assam during polling.
• In West Bengal, 43 BUs and CUs each were replaced. A total of 192 VVPATs were replaced during polling on Thursday.
• During the ongoing elections till second phase, a record seizure of Rs 366.09 crore have been made from both the states.
• The seizure figure, which includes cash, liquor, narcotics and freebies, is more than six times the total combined seizure of Rs 60.91 crore in assembly elections of 2016, the statement said.
• A total number of 1,306 cases of Model Code of Conduct violations were reported through the cVIGIL app from Assam out of which 927 were disposed as of 4.30 pm.
• Similarly, 14,499 cases were reported from West Bengal with 11,630 being disposed till 4.30 pm.

(With inputs from PTI)

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