Nadia, April 30: The second and final phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections concluded on Wednesday with a high voter turnout, largely peaceful polling, and a visible sense of confidence among voters who turned out in large numbers under an extensive security blanket deployed by the Election Commission of India.
According to provisional data released late in the evening, the overall voter turnout for the phase hovered around 91.66 per cent till 7.45 pm, reflecting sustained electoral enthusiasm across districts. 91.07 percent male exercised their democratic power, while 92.28 percent women voted during the day.
Polling began at 7 am and progressed steadily, with long queues seen outside booths since early morning, particularly in rural belts and semi-urban pockets. Women voters, in particular, were seen participating in significant numbers, many expressing satisfaction over the orderly arrangements and security presence.
The day passed off “largely peacefully,” election officials said, attributing the smooth conduct to multi-layered deployment of state police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), strategic area domination, and real-time monitoring through webcasting at sensitive booths. Quick response teams and flying squads remained active throughout the day, ensuring that any signs of disruption were swiftly contained.
Across several constituencies, voters described a markedly freer atmosphere compared to previous elections. “There was no fear this time. We came early and cast our votes without any problem,” said a first-time voter in Krishnanagar. Similar sentiments were echoed in districts like Murshidabad, Birbhum and East Burdwan, where voters spoke of confidence in the security arrangements and the neutrality of polling personnel.
In Nadia district, polling was brisk and largely incident-free, except an incident of clash in Chapra in which a BJP activist was injured. The turnout figures estimated at 91 per cent. Areas such as Krishnaganj, Tehatta and Ranaghat witnessed enthusiastic participation, with voters lining up well before polling hours despite a large number of voters were excluded from the voters list due to the SIR exercise. High enthusiasm was witnessed among the Matua and Hindu refugee voters in areas close to the Indo Bangladesh border areas of the Nadia district.
While the district remained mostly calm, a few minor pockets of tension were reported, including verbal altercations between rival party supporters and isolated complaints of attempts to influence voters. However, prompt intervention by security forces ensured that the situations did not escalate, and polling resumed without significant disruption.
Election authorities confirmed that incidents reported during the day were “sporadic and non-serious in nature,” with no major violence affecting the overall process. A handful of EVM glitches were reported from certain booths, but these were quickly addressed, causing minimal delay.
Political parties, while expressing satisfaction over the turnout, traded allegations of intimidation and electoral malpractice in select areas. However, senior officials maintained that the election process remained firmly under control throughout the day.
As polling concluded, attention has now shifted to the counting of votes scheduled for May 4, with candidates and party leaders expressing cautious optimism. The high turnout has added an element of suspense, with both ruling and opposition camps claiming that the mandate is in their favour.
For voters, however, the immediate sentiment was one of relief and participation. “We have done our duty. Now we will wait and see what the people decides,” said an elderly voter in Nadia, summing up the mood across the state as West Bengal awaits the electoral verdict.