The counting has begun for the West Bengal assembly polls, held in two phases on April 23 and April 29. The incumbent Trinamool Congress (TMC), led by chief minister Mamata Banerjee, is aiming for a historic fourth term in the state, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is looking to create history by winning in Bengal for the first time.
Polling in Bengal saw several incidents of violence, particularly between workers of rival parties, as well as reports of tampering with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). The Election Commission of India ordered repolling at 15 booths in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district, in Diamond Harbour and Magrahat Paschim, on May 2.
Bengal has a total of 294 constituencies, out of which 152 seats went to polls in the first phase on April 23, and the remaining 142 seats voted in the second phase on April 29.
The Election Commission of India ordered repolling across all 285 polling stations in West Bengal's Falta assembly constituency following severe electoral offences and subversion of the democratic process during polling in the second and final phase on April 29.
Polling in West Bengal during both the phases saw record voter turnout of over 90 per cent, with a combined voter turnout of 92.47 per cent.
The Election Commission received several complaints of EVM tampering during the second phase of polling in West Bengal, with at least 77 complaints received.
Among the key candidates in the West Bengal assembly polls is chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who is contesting from Bhabanipur and will face BJP's Leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, in a high-stakes battle.
