Record voter turnout in Bengal, Tamil Nadu amid fierce political showdown

Phase one of the West Bengal elections covered 152 constituencies across 16 districts, recording a voter turnout of approximately 90 percent by late afternoon. Simultaneously, Tamil Nadu conducted its single-phase election with a participation rate of 82.2 percent. Analysts attribute these high percentages to polarised sentiments and the SIR process, which involved significant electoral roll revisions. While the heavy deployment of central paramilitary forces ensured polling remained largely peaceful, sporadic clashes and attacks on candidates occurred in Murshidabad, South Dinajpur, and Asansol.