Bengal Bypolls: Nandigram, Rejinagar See Record Polling

Polling for the Nandigram Assembly constituency in East Midnapore and Rejinagar Assembly constituency in Murshidabad concluded at 6 PM on Tuesday amid reports of tension, voter intimidation and alleged electoral malpractices.

The two constituencies recorded a combined polling percentage of 78.90 per cent by 5 PM. Rejinagar recorded 78.42 per cent polling, while Nandigram registered 79.39 per cent.

Voting continued at several booths after 6 PM as voters remained in queues.

Officials expected the final average turnout to cross 80 per cent, which would mark an exceptionally high figure for bypolls.

Congress and the Mamata All India Trinamool Congress demanded repolling across Rejinagar and at some booths in Nandigram.

The BJP rejected the allegations and said voters participated enthusiastically in a festive atmosphere.

A major development occurred soon after polling began when Aam Janata Unnayan Party founder and legislator Humayun Kabir faced arrest over allegations of influencing voters, threatening police personnel and grabbing an on-duty officer by the collar.

BJP candidates Hasirani Rath in Nandigram and Shakharav Sarkar in Rejinagar expressed confidence about securing comfortable victories.

Former West Bengal Congress president Adhikar Ranjan Chowdhury, meanwhile, alleged electoral malpractice in Rejinagar.

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