The West Bengal assembly polls have concluded, with both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) vying for a historic win in the state. The polls, held in two phases on April 23 and April 29, saw record voter turnout of over 90 per cent, with the combined voter turnout standing at 92.47 per cent.
While the TMC is aiming for a fourth term in the state, the BJP is looking to create history by winning in Bengal for the first time. Apart from the main rivals, other political parties such as the Congress and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) are also in the fray.
However, the polls were marred by several incidents of violence, particularly between workers of rival parties, as well as reports of tampering with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). This led to repolling at 15 booths in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district, in Diamond Harbour and Magrahat Paschim, on May 2.
The Election Commission of India ordered repolling in Falta assembly constituency following severe electoral offences and subversion of the democratic process during polling in the second and final phase on April 29. The repolling will be held on May 21.
Among the key candidates in the West Bengal assembly polls is chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who is contesting from Bhabanipur and will face BJP's Leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, in a high-stakes battle.
