West Bengal has recorded a historic voter turnout of 92.47 per cent in the two-phase Assembly elections, the highest in the state since Independence. In Phase two, polling stood at 91.66 per cent as of 7.45 pm, while Phase one, held on April 23, recorded 93.19 per cent turnout. The combined participation across both phases was calculated at 92.47 per cent.
The state has a voter base of 6.81 crore. The Election Commission said women voters slightly outnumbered men in participation, with 92.28 per cent as against 91.07 per cent participation of men voters.
Before this, West Bengal’s highest turnout was in the 2011 Assembly elections at 84.72 per cent. Tripura holds the national record for the highest poll participation with 93.61 per cent in the 2013 Assembly Elections.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar praised the turnout, saying the Election Commission salutes every voter in West Bengal for the record participation. The Commission also noted high turnout in other states, including Assam and Puducherry, which recorded their highest-ever participation.
Counting of votes for West Bengal, Keralam, Tamil Nadu, Assam and Puducherry will be held on the 4th of next month. Simultaneously, counting for several Assembly by-elections across Karnataka, Nagaland, Tripura, Maharashtra and Gujarat will also be taken up.
