New Delhi: The Electoral Commission said a voter turnout of 79.79 percent in West Bengal and 72.14 percent in Assam was recorded in the first phase of elections in these states until 5pm on Saturday.
In this phase, in 30 assemblies in West Bengal and 47 seats in Assam were voted with a total of 21 825 polling stations.
During the polls, 10288 each of the ballot units (BUs), control units (CUs) and VVPATs were used in West Bengal and 11 537 each of the BUs, CUs and 37 VVPATs were used in Assam. One control unit on VVPAT and at least one voting unit make an EVM.
“The non-functioning rate during the poll is less than what has been experienced in the last few polls,” reads a statement from the EC without elaborating.
On Saturday, a total of 167 cases of violations of the Model Code of Conduct were reported by the cVIGIL app from West Bengal, of which 111 were removed by 16:30. Similarly, 582 cases of Assam were reported, with 423 to be settled by 4:30 p.m.
From the date of notification of the election to the first phase of the vote, a record seizure of 281.28 million was made in these states. The seizure rate, which includes cash, liquor, narcotics and free deliveries, is more than four times higher than the total combined seizure of Rs 60.91 million in the 2016 polls.
To date, 97.31 million have been seized in Assam (against a total seizure of 16.58 million in 2016 events) and a total of 183.97 million for West Bengal (against a total seizure of 44, 33 million in 2016). .
The polling panel said it had placed great emphasis on ensuring transparent and vigilant mechanisms for conducting elections that are free from incitement and intimidation. In West Bengal, nearly 74 voters registered in 10,288 polling stations to exercise their franchise in this phase.
The vote was held in 47 Assam rallies, with a total of 81 voters registered in 11,537 polling stations. The number of polling stations increased as the number of voters per polling station was reduced from 1,500 to 1,000, with a view to social distance norms in mind due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a major pressure on the conduct of free and fair elections, a live monitoring and webcasting mechanism for more than 50 percent of the polling stations, including critical and vulnerable polling stations, has been set up to ensure a safe and secure atmosphere in polling stations.
The Commission, State Electoral Officers, District Electoral Officers and the observers were able to watch live and closely monitor these polls in Assam and West Bengal.
Webcasts were arranged for 5,392 polling stations in West Bengal and 5,039 polling stations in Assam, the EC said. All polling stations were instructed to follow COVID-19 security protocols.
Source: Telangana Today