7th phase Assembly polls in West Bengal |
Voting took place on 26th April for the seventh phase of assembly elections in the Indian state of West Bengal for 34 seats in five districts. The Election Commission of India deployed 653 companies of central forces for this phase. Of five districts going to the polls, three districts - Malda, Murshidabad, and South Dinajpur - share borders with Bangladesh. The deployment of forces in these three bordering districts was far more than in the other two districts to plug infiltration attempts and any kind of violence for ensuring free, fair, and peaceful voting. The Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail was used along with Electronic Voting Machine at every polling booth to enhance the transparency and the credibility of the election process. The availability of an adequate number of EVMs and VVPATs has already been ensured for the smooth conduct of elections. In this phase, total 268 candidates including 37 women are vying for the 34 seats. Polls for Samserganj and Jangipur was adjourned by the Election Commission following the deaths of the candidates in the two Assembly Constituencies. Over 8 million and 188 thousand voters including 3 million and 987 thousand women and 221 third gender persons will decide the fate of these candidates. 11,376 Polling both have been set up for this purpose. Ruling TMC and Bharatiya Janata Party are contesting for all the 34 seats. Bahujan Samaj Party has fielded 25 candidates followed by Congress 18, CPI(M) 12, ISF four, RSP three, and AIFB one. There are 63 independents along with 74 others also in the fray.
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