Humayun Kabir, the chief of Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP), emphasized the need for a trouble-free counting process in the West Bengal Assembly elections. The counting of votes from the two-phase polls commenced at 8 a.m. on Monday, starting with the postal ballots. Kabir praised the Election Commission of India’s decisions on the counting process, ensuring fairness for all political parties and leaders.
Expressing optimism, Kabir stated that regardless of the outcome, it would be favorable. Notably, the counting is ongoing for 293 out of 294 Assembly constituencies, with repolling scheduled for the Falta constituency. The Election Commission introduced a new counting pattern this time, initiating the counting of postal ballots for the first 30 minutes before tallying them with EVM votes.
This adjustment aims to provide a clear trend in the results by noon, as per an insider from the Chief Electoral Officer’s office. The electoral battle in West Bengal primarily involves the Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party. In the previous elections, Trinamool Congress secured 216 seats, followed by BJP at 77 and AISF at one. Congress and Left Front, contesting independently this time, aim to re-establish their presence in the state Assembly.
The recent two-phase polls in West Bengal witnessed a high voter turnout of nearly 93%. Exit polls suggest a potential shift in power from Trinamool Congress to BJP.
