The polling percentage during the initial six hours of the first phase of West Bengal Assembly elections on Thursday stood at a significant 62.18 percent. Comparatively, the polling percentages in the first six hours of all seven phases of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal were notably lower. Specifically, the polling percentages till 1 P.M. in the seven phases of polls in 2024 were as follows: 51 percent in the first phase, 47.3 percent in the second phase, 49.3 percent in the third phase, 51.9 percent in the fourth phase, 48.4 percent in the fifth phase, 54.8 percent in the sixth phase, and 45.1 percent in the seventh phase.
This data indicates that the average polling percentage during the first six hours across the seven phases of polls in West Bengal in 2024 was only 49.6 percent. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing an election rally in Krishnanagar, Nadia district, earlier in the day, expressed satisfaction with the high voter turnout. He remarked on the ongoing polling process and the enthusiasm displayed by voters, suggesting that all previous records might be surpassed this time.
By 1 P.M. on Thursday, the highest polling percentage was recorded at Samserganj in Murshidabad district, reaching 71.07 percent. At the district level, Jhargram saw the highest polling percentage of 65.31 percent by 1 P.M. on Thursday. However, reports of election-related violence in the last two hours between 11 A.M. and 1 P.M. on Thursday surpassed those reported in the initial four hours of polling.
During the afternoon on Thursday, the vehicle of Agnimitra Paul, a fashion designer turned politician and BJP candidate from Asansol (Dakshin) Assembly constituency in West Burdwan district, was vandalized, allegedly by Trinamool Congress supporters. The rear glass of her vehicle was completely shattered in the attack, leading her to file a complaint with the local Hirapur Police Station. Tragically, a voter named Asim Roy succumbed to a heatstroke in Suri, Birbhum district, while en route to the polling booth on Thursday afternoon, marking the second heatstroke-related voter fatality of the day.
