Kolkata, Apr 26 (PTI) The first phase of the West Bengal assembly elections recorded a voter turnout of 93.19 per cent, the highest ever in the state, the Election Commission said.
Polling for the first phase was held on April 23 across 152 assembly segments in 16 districts, and 3.36 crore of the total 3.61 crore voters exercised their franchise, it said on Saturday.
Of those who voted, 1.65 crore were women and 1.71 crore were men, it added.
The highest turnout was recorded in Cooch Behar district at 96.2 per cent, followed by Dakshin Dinajpur (95.44) and Malda (94.79).
Jalpaiguri recorded a turnout of 94.76 per cent, Birbhum 94.51 per cent and Uttar Dinajpur 94.16 per cent.
Murshidabad registered 93.67 per cent turnout, Alipurduar 93.2 per cent, Purba Medinipur 92.75 per cent, Bankura 92.55 per cent, Jhargram 92.26 per cent, Paschim Medinipur 92.19 per cent, Purulia 91.59 per cent and Paschim Bardhaman 90.32 per cent.
Darjeeling recorded 88.98 per cent polling, while Kalimpong reported the lowest turnout at 83.04 per cent.
According to data shared by the EC, the previous highest turnout was 84.72 per cent, recorded in the 2011 assembly elections, in which the TMC stormed to power, ending the CPI(M)-led Left Front’s uninterrupted 34-year rule.
In the second phase on April 29, polling will be held for 142 seats across seven districts.
This election is being held following the contentious Special Intensive Revision (SIR), in which over 90 lakh names were struck off the electoral rolls, lowering the denominator. PTI SUS SOM ACD
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