The first phase of crucial six-phase Assembly polls in West Bengal and first of the two-phase Assembly polls in Assam began at 7am on Monday. This is the first phase in a larger election season in which five States will go to the polls. 18 constituencies in West Bengal and 65 of the 126 Assembly constituencies in Assam go to the polls today.

The ruling BJP has a winning chance only in Assam, where it made an alliance with the Asom Gana Parishad and the Bodoland People’s Front. BJP likes to see this as an “indigenous people’s” alliance.

Phase 1(a) of the election will decide the fate of 133 candidates, including 11 women, fighting from the 18 constituencies in West Bengal. 13 of the 18 seats in West Bengal have been identified as leftwing-extremism affected areas by the Election Commission, where voting will end early at 4pm due to security considerations. In the remaining five constituencies of Purulia, Manbazar, Kashipur, Para and Raghunathpur, voting will go on till 6pm.

Live Updates:

• In West Bengal, a tight multi-layered security ring was thrown in the three districts of West Midnapore, Purulia and Bankura to tackle any threat by Maoists.
• The first four hours of polling in 18 constituencies of West Bengal, witnessed a heavy turnout as more than 45% people cast their votes till 11am.
• Voter turnout in BJP CM candidate Sonowal Majuli’s constituency is lowest; recorded at 13%.
• 16% turnout in Tarun Gogoi’s Titabor constituency in first three hours
• 18% voter turnout recorded till 9am for 1st phase of West Bengal polls and 12% voter turnout recorded till 9am for 1st phase of Assam polls