West Bengal on Thursday recorded massive turnout of 78.77 per cent till 3 pm in the first phase of Assembly elections, according to the latest Election Commission of India polling data.
As per the 3 pm data released by the Election Commission, Dakshin Dinajpur recorded the highest turnout at 81.49 per cent, followed by Paschim Medinipur at 81.07 per cent, Jhargram at 81.04 per cent, and Birbhum at 80.22 per cent.
Murshidabad also saw strong voter participation at 79.72 per cent, while Darjeeling and Malda recorded comparatively lower but still significant turnouts of 76.54 per cent and 76.22 per cent, respectively.
At 9 am, the voter turnout had stood at 18.76 per cent. The figure rose significantly over the next two hours, reaching 41.11 per cent by 11 am across all 152 constituencies. By 1 pm, the turnout climbed further to 62.18 per cent, reflecting steady participation by voters.
With multiple districts reporting exceptionally high voter turnout figures, the state is set for record polling. In 2021, Bengal recorded an 82.30 per cent turnout and with three more hours to go, the state could see record participation.
The BJP sees the higher voting percentage as a sign of its victory. Addressing a rally in Nadia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that wherever the country witnesses a massive rise in turnout, the results favour the BJP.
“We have observed in the past that wherever the country has witnessed a massive voter turnout, the BJP has achieved a resounding victory,” Modi said.
He further added, “On May 4th, the victory celebrations for the BJP will take place in Bengal as well. Sweets will be distributed, and ‘Jhal Muri’ will be handed out too.”
The polling began at 7 am across 152 Assembly constituencies and will continue till 6 pm.