SRINAGAR: West Bengal has registered a historic voter turnout of 92.47 per cent in the two-phase Assembly elections, marking the highest participation in the state since Independence.
According to the Election Commission of India, polling in Phase II stood at 91.66 per cent as of 7:45 pm, while Phase I, conducted on April 23, recorded a turnout of 93.19 per cent. The combined turnout across both phases was calculated at 92.47 per cent.
The state, with an electorate of 6.81 crore voters, also witnessed a slightly higher participation of women voters. Women turnout stood at 92.28 per cent, surpassing 91.07 per cent recorded among male voters.
Prior to this, the highest voter turnout in West Bengal was recorded during the 2011 Assembly elections, which saw 84.72 per centbparticipation. Nationally, Tripura holds the record for the highest-ever turnout at 93.61 per cent during the 2013 Assembly elections.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar lauded the electorate, stating that the Commission salutes every voter in West Bengal for the record-breaking participation. The poll body also highlighted significant voter engagement in Assam and Puducherry, both of which recorded their highest-ever turnout.
Counting of votes for West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam and Puducherry will be conducted on the 4th of next month. Simultaneously, counting for Assembly by-elections in Karnataka, Nagaland, Tripura, Maharashtra and Gujarat will also be taken up.
