Live updates: EC bans roadshows, vehicle rallies in West Bengal

Security measures have been heightened in view of the violence in the previous phases

Picture credit: ANI

Kolkata: Over one crore voters in West Bengal will decide the political fate of 306 candidates on Thursday (April 22). 43 assembly constituencies will go to polls in the sixth phase, amid a raging second wave of COVID-19.

Both the TMC and the BJP parties have pitched hard to gain the confidence of the Matua community, who make for a large chunk of the state's Scheduled Caste population, in most of the 17 assembly segments going to polls in this phase in North 24 Parganas district and some of the nine seats in Nadia.

Apart from these constituencies, elections will be held in nine seats in Uttar Dinajpur district and eight in Purba Bardhaman.

The political fate of film director Raj Chakraborty and actor Koushani Mukherjee, who are the TMC's candidates from the Barrackpore and the Krishnanagar North constituencies respectively, will also be decided in this phase.

22 April 2021

22:25 IST

Election Commission banned roadshows, vehicle rallies in West Bengal in view of the rising number of COVID-19 cases

19:52 IST

Free vaccination will be provided to all above the age of 18 years after May 5: TMC

19:18 IST

PM Narendra Modi will virtually address West Bengal voters at 5 pm on Friday. He called off his visit to the state for poll campaign.

19:17 IST

79.08 percent voter turnout recorded till 6 pm in the sixth phase of West Bengal Assembly polls

17:15 IST

Calcutta High Court expressed dissatisfaction with Election Commission over non-adherence of COVID-19 norms by people during the ongoing polls.

17:14 IST

70.42 per cent voter turnout recorded till 3 pm in 43 seats where polling is underway in sixth phase.

12:11 IST

In Uttar Dinajpur's Chopra area, shots were reportedly fired after clashes broke out between activists of the TMC and the BJP over allegations of heckling by agents of a polling booth.

11:51 IST

Polling underway in Chopra, North Dinajpur during the sixth phase of West Bengal Assembly elections

09:16 IST

Home Minister Amit Shah urged the voters to vote fearlessly with a post in the Bangla language on Twitter.

08:34 IST

PM Modi tweeted, "The people of West Bengal are voting to elect a new assembly. On the sixth phase today, urging those whose seats are polling to exercise their franchise."

The people of West Bengal are voting to elect a new assembly. On the sixth phase today, urging those whose seats are polling to exercise their franchise.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 22, 2021

08:20 IST

BJP candidate from Raiganj, Uttar Dinajpur, Krishna Kalyani cast his vote at booth number 134. He says, "Voting began a little late. It's a festival of democracy & everyone is participating. You can see the queues, it shows that this time voting will be for change, development."

08:05 IST

Voting is underway at booth number 134 - at Raiganj Coronation High School - in Uttar Dinajpur. The voting could not begin on time here at 7 am, due to technical issues.

07:52 IST

BJP national vice president Mukul Roy casts his vote for the sixth phase of state Assembly polls at booth number 141 - at Kanchrapara Municipal Polytechnic High School - in Kanchrapara of North 24 Parganas district.

07:50 IST

Voting for the sixth phase of West Bengal Polls is yet to begin at booth number 134 - at Raiganj Coronation High School - in Uttar Dinajpur, due to some technical issues.

07:43 IST

West Bengal BJP vice president Arjun Singh cast his vote at booth number 144 in Jagatdal of North 24 Parganas. His son and party's candidate from Bhatpara, Pawan Singh also cast his vote.

06:54 IST

See pictures of the preparations at a polling booth in Mongalkote constituency, ahead of voting for the sixth phase of West Bengal Elections 2021 today.

Preparations underway at a polling booth in Mongalkote constituency, ahead of voting for the sixth phase of #WestBengalElections2021 today. pic.twitter.com/8kHB1vVqg9

— ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2021

06:54 IST

People step out to vote in the Jagatdal constituency.

West Bengal: People form queues outside polling station number 205 in Jagatdal constituency.

Voting for the sixth phase of Assembly elections will commence at 7 am today. pic.twitter.com/DsVCeyt7xW

— ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2021

06:53 IST

Preparations underway at a polling booth in Kanchrapara, ahead of voting for the sixth phase of the state assembly today.

06:52 IST

A mock poll was conducted by the election officials at a pink polling booth in Raiganj.

West Bengal: Election officials conduct a mock poll at a pink polling booth in Raiganj.

Voting for the sixth phase of Assembly elections will commence at 7 am. pic.twitter.com/NLXVbv4Wnh

— ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2021

06:45 IST

Preparations underway at a polling booth in Jagatdal constituency, ahead of voting for the sixth phase of West Bengal Elections 2021 today. Polling will begin at 7 am.