Kolkata, 23 April (H.S.): Polling continued briskly in the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections on Thursday, with the state witnessing heavy voter participation. Till 1 p.m., an overall voter turnout of 62.18 percent was recorded. Long queues of voters were seen in several sensitive areas, while polling progressed at a faster pace in rural regions.

The highest turnout till 1 p.m. was reported from Samserganj constituency in Murshidabad district at 71.07 percent. It was followed by Raghunathganj with 70.29 percent, Chandrakona with 69.41 percent, Suti with 68.86 percent and Garbeta with 67.97 percent.

The lowest turnout was recorded in Chanchal constituency of Malda district at 53.81 percent. Other constituencies with relatively lower turnout included English Bazar at 55.11 percent, Siliguri at 55.72 percent, Jalpaiguri at 56.23 percent, Purulia at 56.78 percent and Chakulia at 56.88 percent.

In the high-profile Nandigram constituency, voter turnout stood at 65.46 percent till 1 p.m., while Tamluk recorded 63.77 percent and Kharagpur 66 percent. Jhargram reported 64.85 percent turnout, Midnapore 63.38 percent and Bankura 64.91 percent.

According to election officials, polling percentages are expected to rise further in several districts during the afternoon hours, with a significant increase likely in the final figures by evening.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh