Reported By:
| Edited By: DNA Web Team |Source: DNA webdesk |Updated: Apr 30, 2016, 08:50 PM IST
The fifth phase of polling in West Bengal took place on Saturday across 53 constituencies in the state.. Ahead of the polls, a 90,000 strong contingent of central and state police forces was deployed and prohibitory orders under 144 CrPc was in force in all the poll-bound constituencies.
Voter turnout at the fifth phase of West Bengal polls was recorded at 78.25%.
A number of political heavyweights, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, key ministers like Subrata Mukherjee, Firhad Hakim, Manish Gupta, Partha Chatterjee, Javed Ahmed Khan and city mayor Sovan Chatterjee tried their luck in this phase of election. Subrata Mukherjee, Firhad Hakim and Sovan Chatterjee were purportedly seen in Narada sting video.
Altogether 349 candidates, including 43 women, were in fray in today's election in three districts--Kolkata, South 24 Parganas and Hooghly..
The centre of attraction in this phase wass Bhawanipur constituency where Banerjee is pitted against former union minister Deepa Dasmunshi of Congress. The other prominent candidate in Bhawanipur is Chandra Kumar Bose, grand nephew of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
Along with the Saradha chitfund scam and the 'Syndicate raj' (local real estate cartel for supply of materials), Narada sting has become a major poll issue in the state.
TMC is expected to do well in this phase as it won 46 out of the 53 in 2011, and was ahead in 49 assembly segments in the 2014 general elections.
The alliance will look to upset TMC's stronghold to stay in contention to make next government in West Bengal.
Voting was more or less peaceful barring few untoward incidents. FIR was filed against deputy speaker of the assembly and TMC MLA Sonali Guha for harsh words against CPM booth agent. Polling was brisk throughout the day despite heat-wave.
With PTI inputs
Here's how the action unfolded throughout the day.
EC's Deputy Election Commissioner and in-charge of West Bengal, Sandeep Saxena told a press conference that, "based on SMS-based information from polling officers, at 5 PM the voter turnout in fifth phase was 78.25 per cent."
This is against 82.77 per cent final voting recorded during the 2011 assembly elections in the three districts of Hoogly, Kolkata South district and South 24-Parganas, that went to polls today.
All in all, today's phase has been another peaceful one barring some incidents late in the afternoon. TMC MLA Sonali Guha landed herself in trouble for being caught on camera openly asking CPM booth worker to be beaten up.
But Saturday was again a big win for Election Commission and the net of security they have deployed. The polling process have been more or less smooth and it can be said irrespective of the final result, that the voice of the people will be reflected in the EVM.
The grand Bengal polls are almost done and the last phase will be on 5th May. If in the final analysis, TMC and the alliance are in close contest, the sixth phase may turn out to be the decider.
Reports of shots being fired from Kathalberia in Canning. The allegations are against CROF that they fired at air to disperse protesting mob.
In Arambag of Hooghly district, FIR against presiding officer for allegedly not trying to stop rigging.
Almost 3 thousand complaints lodged with the Election Commission till 5 PM about various electoral malpractises.
4 TMC workers shot at in Bariupur, situated in South 24 Parganas.
The needle of suspicion is against CPI(M) workers of the area. It happened in a primary school located in Nabagram village. 6 people have been arrested in the incident.
In Arambag, reports of clash between TMC and CPIM workers. 2 TMC workers are seriously injured.
Overall, 72.19% votes till 3PM. 72.46% votes have been polled in Hooghly, 73.19% in South 24 Pargana and 58.05% in South Kolkata.
Five TMC workers have been arrested for allegedly trying to attack CPM candidate in Goghat.
In Basanti, 7 injured in clashes between RSP and CPI(M).
In Bhangar, two has been injured due to infighting within TMC workers.
EC has ordered filing of FIR against Sonali Guha for asking that CPM booth agent should be beaten up.
Polling has been pretty peaceful so far and it has been brisk. Unlike other cities where voters apathy often crowds the discourse, Kolkata is an exception.
People actively take part in democratic process and today has been no exception.
57.10% turnout has been recorded till 1 PM. In South 24 Pargana it is 58.24%. 59.83% in Hooghly and 46.35% voting in Kolkata till 1 PM.
PTI is reporting that in Chinsurah in Hooghly district said a villager sustained head injury when he was allegedly attacked by Trinamool Congress supporters at Puin village in Arambag constituency. N. Babu, the villager, was attacked while returning after casting his vote, a police officer said. He was rushed to Arambag sub-divisional hospital where he was released after first aid, the officer said.
Police have arrested one TMC supporter in connection with the incident.
PTI is also reporting that in Canning in South 24 Parganas, two persons were injured as central force jawans used batons to disperse clashing Trinamool Congress and CPI(M) supporters in front of a booth in Kathaliya village under Bhangar constituency.
TMC candidate Rezzak Mollah rushed to the spot and was reportedly involved in an altercation with the central forces following the incident.
State Minister Firhad Hakim who attracted controversy by telling a foreign journalist that Kolkata Port area in Mini Pakistan has refused to make any further comments about it.
I will not talk on this issue, says TMC leader Firhad Hakim pic.twitter.com/Lumac9VAeE
— ANI (@ANI_news) April 30, 2016
Kolkata: Former WB CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharya after casting his vote for 5th phase of #WestBengal Assembly elections pic.twitter.com/ZDoFXOucVC
— ANI (@ANI_news) April 30, 2016
Poll percentage at 11 AM: Hooghly 36.97 % , Kolkata South 32.58% , South 24 Parganas 39.81%, Overall 38.30%
Three live bombs recovered from Rashbehari, in post South Kolkata locality.
Till 12 noon, almost 1000 complaints have been lodged with EC.
After Zee 24 Ghanta played the clip of Sonali Guha virtually threatening Left workers, EC has taken cognizance and has asked for a report of the entire incident.
Poll percentage for #WestBengalPolls 5th phase at 11 AM is 38.15%
— ANI (@ANI_news) April 30, 2016
Sonali Guha, who is the deputy speaker in the West Bengal Assembly has attracted controversy by asking her party men to beat up CPIM agents and get them out of the booth.
Sonali Guha involved in heated conversation. ( Image courtesy Zee 24 Ghanta)
She wasn't allowed to enter several booths by CRPF jawans. Sonal Guha, who is MLA from Satgachia, is known for her volatile temper. Soon she lost cool and was involved in war of words with the jawans. Later she was allowed to enter after presiding officers intervened.
Later Sonali Guha rushed to a booth where EVM was dysfunctional. Even after telling the EC, no action was taken according to her. In a telephonic conversation, Guha blasted EC and also asked the CPM agent to be hit and be thrown out of the booth.
Clearly an unparliamentary statement from someone who has occupied a high- constitutional post for five years.
Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly casting his vote.
Sourav Ganguly casts his vote for the 5th phase of #WestBengal Assembly elections, in Kolkata pic.twitter.com/y3kS77EiO3
— ANI (@ANI_news) April 30, 2016
Chandra Bose who is fighting against Mamata Banerjee from Bhwanipore also voted.
Chandra Bose (BJP) casts his vote for the 5th phase of #WestBengal Assembly elections, in Kolkata pic.twitter.com/sI525apTb2
— ANI (@ANI_news) April 30, 2016
Poll percentage at 9AM:
Hooghly 20.10 % , Kolkata South 15.64 % , South 24 Parganas 20.04 %, Overall 19.64%
News coming from lot of places in Kolkata of CRPF cracking down on political workers who are trying to create ruckus. They are also being severe on any political activity by party workers within 100 metres of the polling booth.
TMC Leader Derek O'Brien casts his vote for the 5th phase of #WestBengal Assembly elections. pic.twitter.com/flvnsOSRTO
— ANI (@ANI_news) April 30, 2016
Reports of unrest coming from several booths in Bhangar in West Bengal. CPI(M) agents are not being allowed to enter in several booths.
Kolkata: A senior citizen casts her vote for the 5th phase of #WestBengal Assembly elections. pic.twitter.com/LN4eVk2SON
— ANI (@ANI_news) April 30, 2016
Reports of disturbances in poll process has started to trickle in. In Khanaku in Hooghly district, CPI(M) booth agent has been roughed up.
Similar news coming from Sonarpur North and Bhangar.
Voters line up outside polling booths in Singur, & Kolkata to cast vote in the fifth phase of WB Assembly elections. pic.twitter.com/OStUM9dpcq
— ANI (@ANI_news) April 30, 2016
Voters line up outside polling booths in Kolkata to cast vote in the fifth phase of WB Assembly elections. pic.twitter.com/7rTutIU0i0
— ANI (@ANI_news) April 30, 2016
Kolkata: Voters after casting their vote for the 5th phase of #WestBengal Assembly elections. pic.twitter.com/srqxxH5xWm
— ANI (@ANI_news) April 30, 2016
Huge queues outside the polling booths already to beat the summer heat. Brisk polling is expected through-out the day.
