West Bengal Polls LIVE: Huge turnout of women, says EC as polling ends
West Bengal election 2021 LIVE: Phase 5 is crucial for Mamata Banerjee, since these are the regions where BJP gained a foothold in 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Stay tuned for Bengal election LIVE updates
 "West Bengal election")
West Bengal Assembly election
West Bengal election 2021 LIVE updates: Polling in the fifth phase of the West Bengal Assembly Election 2021 is underway across 45 constituencies spread over six districts. So far, 16.15% voter turnout has been recorded. The campaigning for the fifth phase ended at 6pm on Wednesday, as the Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) continued trading blows over the recent killings of four men by central security personnel at Cooch Behar's Sitalkuchi, where polls were held last Saturday. In Phase 5 of the West Bengal assembly elections six districts -- Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong, Darjeeling, Nadia, North 24 Parganas, and Purba Bardhaman -- go into polls.
As many as 319 candidates, including 39 women, are in the fray in this phase of the West Bengal assembly elections. One-fourth of the total candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves, according to a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR). The fifth phase is crucial for TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, since these are the regions where the BJP gained a significant foothold in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. This phase includes the hill districts of Darjeeling and Kalimpong.
The polling for phases 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the state elections took place on March 27, April 1, and April 6, and April 10, respectively.
Stay tuned for West Bengal election 2021 LIVE updates
8:24 PM
West Bengal elections: EC says polling peaceful in fifth phase
West Bengal saw 78.36 per cent voter turnout till 6.30 pm in the fifth phase of the assembly election on Saturday.
Chief Electoral Officer Ariz Aftab said that the polling "was held peacefully" in 15,789 polling stations spread across 45 assembly constituencies.
The polling was held in six districts - Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong, Darjeeling, Nadia, North 24 Parganas and Purba Bardhaman.
Jalpaiguri recorded the highest turnout with 81.71 per cent, while Purba Bardhaman and Nadia registered 81.67 per cent and 81.50 per cent.
A total of 319 candidates, including 38 women, contested in this phase. (ANI)
7:22 PM
LIVE: Huge turnout of women voters, says EC as polling ends for fifth phase
Polling was conducted peacefully in 15,789 Polling Stations spread across 45 Assembly Constituencies, in the fifth phase of elections in the State of West Bengal, says Election Commission
6:20 PM
West Bengal Polls LIVE: Locals in Kurulgacha area allege central forces opened fire
West Bengal: Locals in Kurulgacha area of Deganga assembly constituency allege that Central Forces opened fire. "Peaceful voting underway here. Suddenly 8-9 personnel of Central Forces stormed here and opened fire. One round was fired, nobody has been injured," a local told news agency ANI.
6:05 PM
West Bengal election 2021 LIVE: 78.36% voter turnout recorded till 5 pm
West Bengal election 2021 LIVE: 78.36% voter turnout recorded till 5 pm
4:41 PM
West Bengal election LIVE: Voters queue up outside a polling booth in Bidhan nagar
4:15 PM
West Bengal Polls: BJP is forming the government with more than 200 seats, says Amit Shah
4:06 PM
West Bengal Polls: TMC MP Mimi Chakraborty casts her vote at a polling booth
3:31 PM
TMC writes to CEO, West Bengal over "recording of phone conversation of CM Mamata Banerjee
3:22 PM
West Bengal election 2021 LIVE: 62.40% voter turnout recorded till 3:15 pm
West Bengal election 2021 LIVE: 62.40% voter turnout recorded till 3:15 pm, according to the election commission
3:19 PM
West Bengal Polls LIVE: Covid protocols being maintained at a polling station
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First Published: Apr 17 2021 | 6:11 AM IST