The first phase of voting began on a brisk note on Thursday, with over 62 per cent and 56 per cent turnout recorded in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, respectively. Both states witnessed voters queuing up in large numbers despite hot and humid conditions.
In West Bengal, the voter turnout was 18.76 per cent in the first two hours, and it slowly gathered pace, reaching 41.11 per cent at 11 am and 62.18 per cent at 1 pm, according to the Election Commission.
Of the 16 districts that went to the polls on Thursday, Paschim Medinipur led in voter turnout at 65.77 per cent, followed by Jhargram at 65.31 per cent, and Bankura at 64 per cent. A relatively lower turnout was recorded in Malda, 58.45 per cent, Cooch Behar, 60.75 per cent, and Alipurduar, 60.03 per cent, according to available data.
The state also witnessed sporadic violence, with over 450 complaints received by the poll panel till noon. Another 375 were lodged through the cVIGIL app, PTI quoted officials.
In Dakshin Dinajpur's Kumarganj, BJP candidate Suvendu Sarkar was manhandled while on his way to a polling booth. Sarkar alleged that he was beaten up in the presence of the police and that his vehicle was vandalised. However, the ruling TMC alleged that Sarkar had tried to create unrest near a booth, leading to protests by locals.
Violence was also reported in Murshidabad's Naoda, where clashes broke out between supporters of Humayun Kabir’s Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) and the TMC. The incidents stemmed from Kabir’s visit to the polling booth, which was opposed by TMC supporters. Kabir later accused the ruling party of intimidation and malpractice, while the TMC rejected the charges and condemned the violence.
Clashes were also reported from Birbhum's Labhpur, Malda and Murarai. Tensions were also witnessed at Murshidabad's Domkal in the morning, where locals alleged they were prevented from reaching polling booths. In Cooch Behar's Mathabhanga, a war of words broke out between TMC and BJP leaders over alleged violation of the model code of conduct. Clashes were also reported from Purba Medinipur's Moyna after slogan-shouting by supporters of rival parties led to panic among voters before Central forces intervened.
Tamil Nadu
The southern state witnessed over 56 per cent voting on Thursday at 1 pm, according to Election Commission of India (EC) figures. Tiruppur district topped with a 62.97 per cent voter turnout, while Chennai recorded 54.58 per cent polling. Madurai recorded 54.75 per cent while Coimbatore stood at 58.24, and the centrally located Tiruchirappalli district saw 57.66.
Top politicians, including Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin, TVK chief Vijay and AMMK chief T T V Dhinakaran, voted in Chennai. While AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami voted in Salem, MDMK founder Vaiko and his son Durai Vaiko voted in Kalingapatti in the Tenkasi district.
In many parts of Tamil Nadu where the temperature soared, voters queued up. However, in many places, high humidity made even the 30 °C morning air feel closer to 39 °C. Yet urban centres like Chennai, Coimbatore and Madurai particularly, reported steady participation.
