Assam records 37.06% voter turnout, West Bengal 40.73% till 1 pm in 1st phase of assembly elections

Election Commission of India has annoced that 37.06 per cent and 40.73 per cent voter turnout recorded till 1 pm, in the first phase of polling in Assam and West Bengal Assembly elections, respectively.

Assam recorded a 37.06 per cent turnout till 1 pm across 47 assembly constituencies in the first phase of the state assembly polls, according to the Election Commission of India.

The Kailabor constituency in the state has witnessed the highest voting percentage till now, while the Gohpur constituency witnessed the lowest voting percentage.

The first phase of polling for assembly elections in the states of West Bengal and Assam began at 7 am on Saturday and is currently underway.

Earlier in the day, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal also cast his vote at JP Nagar constituency in the Dibrugarh district. He is contesting polls from Majuli. The polling will continue till 6 pm. A total of 264 candidates are in the fray for 47 seats -- 42 seats from 11 districts of Upper Assam and northern Assam region and five seats from central Assam`s Nagaon district.

Polling for the next two phases will be held on April 1 and April 6. The counting of votes will take place on May 2.

On the other hand sporadic violence marks first phase of West Bengal polls with 36.09 per cent turnout till 11 am.

Sporadic incidents of violence were reported from some areas that are voting in the first phase of the assembly elections in West Bengal on Saturday, even as the overall poll situation was peaceful with 36.09 per cent turnout recorded till 11 am, officials said.