Kolkata, Apr 26: Amid elaborate security arrangements, around 17.95 per cent electorate exercised their franchise till 0930 hrs on Monday in the seventh phase West Bengal Assembly election to 34 seats to decide the fate of 268 candidates.

Official sources said Dakshin Dinajpur reported 18.77 pc, Kolkata South – 13.07 pc, Malda – 18.87 pc, Murshidabad – 19.53 pc, Paschim Bardhaman 17.24 pc vote was polled so far.Long queues were seen outside polling stations, where voting will continue till 6.30 PM.

As the polling for the seventh phase Assembly polls began this morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged people to use their franchise.

“The seventh phase of the West Bengal elections takes place today. Urging people to exercise their franchise and follow all COVID-19 related protocols,” Mr Modi tweeted.

TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee after cast his vote at Mitra Institution in Bhabanipur, said, “Extremely confident that Mamata Banerjee will be back with 2/3rd majority…People are dying but EC is conducting 8-phase polls to benefit a party.”

TMC candidate from Bhabanipur constituency, Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay, after casting his vote at Manmatha Nath Nandan Boys and Girls School said, “People will vote for Mamata Banerjee and her projects as her development has reached all homes. This election is being held on those issues.”“I have been in politics since 1962, but this is the first time I am voting for myself,” he added.

TMC MP Nusrat Jahan, who also cast her vote, said, “Why was the Election Commission sleeping all this while? Only when Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided he won’t hold any public meetings, the EC decided to call off all public meetings. It listens to the prime minister and home minister more than anyone else,” she said.

UNI