The sixth phase of the crucial 2021 West Bengal Assembly Elections have started today on 22nd April 2021. As part of the sixth phase of the elections, 4 key areas of West Bengal will conduct polls – Uttar Dinajpur district, North 24 Paragnas Part-2, Purba Bardhaman Part-2 and Nadia District Part-2. The sixth phase of the elections will witness political parties contesting for wins in 43 constituencies in the 4 areas mentioned above.
Polling began on the morning of 22nd April at 7AM. The Election Commision has put in tighter security for the elections after 5 persons had lost their lives during the fourth phase of elections in Cooch Behar on 10th April. As part of the increased security measures, the poll panel made the call to deploy 1000 plus companies of central forces to ensure smooth polling during the sixth phase of 2021 West Bengal Assembly Elections.
306 candidates’ political destiny may be shaped or broken as they contest for 43 seats during the sixth phase of 2021 West Bengal Assembly Elections. On the eve of the sixth phase of polling in West Bengal, the Election Commission has told the Trinamool Congress (TMC) party that it will not consider their suggestion of clubbing the 3 remaining phases of elections together due to the rise in cases of Covid-19 cases in the state. TMC MP Derek O’Brien addressed the letter to the Election Commission suggesting they club the elections and get over with the elections as soon as possible so people can maintain social distancing there on and the state can implement stricter restrictions if necessary to control the spread of the virus. The Election Commission responded by saying it would not be possible to club the 6th, 7th & 8th phases of election as the required manpower and security is not available at such short notices and having the election done in separate phases is in the best interests of security of the voters.
Sponsored LinksThe sixth phase of election includes a key area of the state of West Bengal nicknamed the “chicken’s neck” – the narrow stretch of land that connects North & South parts of West Bengal bordering Bangladesh. A number of the assembly constituencies of Uttar Dinajpur border Bangladesh on one side and Bihar on the other, this area which is also part of the “chicken’s neck” is of high importance strategically as it is inhabited by people of multiple religions and ethnic beliefs.
“The people of West Bengal are voting to elect a new assembly. On the sixth phase today, urging those whose seats are polling to exercise their franchise,” Mr. Modi tweeted on the day of the sixth phase of elections in the state.
At around 9AM, several reports of crude bomb explosions came in from Barrackpore industrial belt which is part of the North 24 Parganas which is conducting polls today. TMC councillor Utpal Dasgupta was attacked at Bijpur Assembly segment in North 24 Parganas by unidentified individuals.
Till around 3:00 PM in the afternoon, the 43 constituencies recorded a voter turnout of 70.43%. A voter turnout of nearly 80% is predicted by the end of polling at 6PM today. The Assembly elections are turning out to be a gripping battle between the TMC and BJP parties as they wrestle for power in West Bengal.
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