WB bypolls: Polling 'peaceful' in Bengal's Bhabanipur, moderate turnout recorded

By-elections to Bhabanipur seat, where West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is contesting, and two other constituencies are unde rway amid tight security and measures to tackle rain. Votes polled on Thursday will be counted on October 3. Banerjee will fight BJP's Priyanka Tibrewal, and CPI(M)'s Srijib Biswas in Bhabanipur.

Polling 'peaceful' in Bengal's Bhabanipur, moderate turnout recorded

A moderate turnout was recorded in the by-election to the Bhabanipur assembly seat, where West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is contesting to retain her post, as polling in the high-profile constituency in south Kolkata passed off peacefully on Thursday.

Around 53.32 per cent turnout was recorded in the seat till 5 PM. The Election Commission said that the final turnout till 6 PM will be available on Friday.

A high voting rate at 78.60 per cent and 76.12 per cent was recorded in Murshidabad's Samserganj and Jangipur seats respectively, where polls had to be countermanded during the April-May assembly elections following the death of two candidates.

A total of 6,97,164 voters were eligible to exercise their franchise in the three constituencies.

Polling 'peaceful' in Bengal's Bhabanipur, 48.08% turnout till 3 PM

Voting has largely been peaceful in Bhabanipur assembly seat, where West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is contesting, with 48.08 per cent turnout till 3 PM, officials said.

West Bengal bypolls: Reports of sporadic violence

Alleged voter fraud has lead to sporadic violence in Bhabanipur, according to a report.

Voter turnout 35.97% at Bhabanipur till 1pm

Who is Priyanka Tibrewal, BJP's Bhabanipur candidate?

Priyanka Tibrewal joined the BJP in August 2014. Prior to that she worked as a legal counsel for Babul Supriyo. She forayed into politics with his help.

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Why the Bhabanipur bypoll is important for Mamata Banerjee

Banerjee, who led her party to a massive electoral triumph for a third successive term in May this year, is required to win a seat in the state assembly by November 5 in conformity with the constitutional provisions in order to continue as chief minister.

The Constitution allows a non-member of a state legislature or Parliament to continue in a ministerial position for six months.

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Bhabanipur voter turnout 21.73% at 11am

Voter turnout at Jangipur and Sanserganj at 36.11% and 40.23%, respectively, at 11am.

TMC claims EC has rejected BJP's complaint to 'influence voters in Bhabanipur'

BJP lodges complaint to EC against TMC's Firhad Hakim and Subrata Mukherjee for allegedly 'influencing voters in Bhabanipur'

Flags of Trinamool Congress within 200 metres of the booth: CPM candidate Srijib Biswas

CPM candidate Srijib Biswas said, "You won't find flags and banners of the opposition near the polling stations but there are flags of Trinamool Congress within 200 metres of the booth. I have told the police but they are hardly paying any attention". (IANS)

Bhabanipur records lowest polling percentage in first 2 hours

According to the data available with the Election Commission of India, the high-profile assembly constituency recorded only 7.5 per cent of polling in the first two hours of election. On the other hand, the two assembly constituencies of Jangipur in Murshidabad district and Samserganj recorded 17.5 and 16.3 per cent polling respectively. (IANS)

Local TMC leader Anarul Haque detained in connection with bombs hurled in Bengal constituency ahead of bypolls

Ahead of voting for a stormy bypoll, Kolkata enundated with rain

Polling officials carrying voting materials leave for poll duty amid rains, on the eve of Bhawanipur constituency by-poll, in Kolkata.

West Bengal bypolls: A total 6,97,164 voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in the three constituencies

Aditionally, polls had to be countermanded in Jangipur and Samserganj in April following the death of two candidates.

Bhabanipur bypolls crucial for TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee

Why these bypolls are important for Mamata?

Banerjee, who lost from the Nandigram constituency in the assembly elections earlier this year, has to win this by-poll to retain the chief minister's post.

Bhabanipur bypolls: Women CAPF patrolling as a confidence building measure

Polling underway at Bhabanipur

7.57% votes polled till 9 am at Bhabanipur

Polling underway in Murshidabad for Jangipur constituency

TMC's Samserganj Amirul Islam alleges that a party worker's house was attacked by Congress cadres led by Congress candidate Zahidur Rahman last night.

Congress denies allegation.

A 90-year old woman casts her votein Bhabanipur

Sanitizer, gloves being given to voters at the Polling Station No 59A St Pauls Boarding & Day School under 159 Bhabanipur Assembly Constituency of Kolkata South District

Besides Bhabanipur, bypolls will also be held in Shamsherganj and Jangipur in the Murshidabad district

Priyanka Tibrewal, BJP candidate for Bhabanipur accuses Madan Mitra of booth jamming

BJP candidate Priyanka Tibrewal alleges booth jamming at Bhabanipur constituency's booth 125

Mamata government is in fear right now: Priyanka Tibrewal, BJP candidate for Bhabanipur by-poll

Polling begins in Bhabanipur and is scheduled to end at 6:30 pm

Covid protocol to be followed at polling centres

Long queues were seen since early morning outside several booths across the constituencies. Voting will continue till 6 pm.

The polling centres have been stocked up with masks and sanitisers as part of the Covid-19 guidelines, the officials said.

Banerjee, who is also the Trinamool Congress supremo, is pitted against BJP’s Priyanka Tibrewal and CPI(M)'s Srijib Biswas in Bhabanipur.