Kolkata, Apr 26 (UNI) An estimated 71.72 per cent of over 51,17,955 electorate exercised their franchise in the second phase election to three Lok Sabha seats of Darjeeling, Balurghat and Raiganj in North Bengal districts till 5 PM on Friday.
According to Election Commission sources, while Darjeeling accounted for 71.41 per cent polling, Raiganj registered 71.87 and Balurghat 72.30 per cent.
Meanwhile, BJP received a major jolt when party candidate and former SP Debashish Dhar's candidature from B was rejected during scrutiny, official sources said.
His candidature was rejected for not submitting 'no due' certificate.
In his place BJP nominee Debtanu Bhattacharya will contest the poll, sources said adding the BJP was in the mind that the ruling party had been after the former Cooch Behar SP's efforts to contest the election.
Dhar said he was contemplating a move seeking judicial intervention as he was already cleared by the office of President of India.
BJP state president Sukanta Majumder accused the TMC of indulging in “hooliganism” in Balurghat, which, however, was denied by the ruling party.
Chaos prevailed at Booth no 100 at Patiram in Balurghat where Majumdar allegedly faced "go back" slogan by the TMC supporters when he went there to check voting.
He alleged his polling agent Goutam Burman was beaten up by the TMC activists and hospitalised.
He said a complaint has been lodged with the Election Commission against the TMC. The poll panel has asked the administration to submit an action-taken report in connection with the incident at the earliest.
About 272 companies of Central Armed Forces and nearly 13,000 state police personnel have been deployed to ensure the ECI-mandated free and fair polling.
Over 51,17,955 electorate, including 25,10,356 women, are expected to exercise their franchise to return three winners among 47 aspirants from different political parties, including that of ruling Trinamool Congress, principal Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party and the Left Front in about 5298 polling stations.
The three Parliamentary Constituencies - Darjeeling, Raiganj (Uttar Dinajpur) and Balurghat (Dakshin Dinajpur) - in as many contiguous districts fall in two international borders of Bangladesh.
Of the total booths, 1334 have been identified as vulnerable where
some nine ECI appointed observers, three each of General, Police and Expenditure have been overseeing the ongoing preparation and arrangement for polling.
The number of male and female voters has increased considerably this time.
While Darjeeling accounts for 17,65,744, including 8,81,368 women, Raigunj accounts for 17,90,245, including 8,65,320 women, and Balurghat 15,61,966, including 7,13 668 women.
So is the number of third gender voters. A total of 210 third gender electors will also cast their votes, this time, the maximum number being in Raiganj Constituency.
Next in comes Balurghat, where 81 third gender electors will cast their votes.In Darjeeling Parliamentary Constituency, 41 third gender electors will be exercising their franchises.
Eds : Pls Pick Up Suitably From Earlier Series.
UNI PC-SJC KK