A total of 6,97,164 voters were eligible to exercise their franchise in the three constituencies.
A moderate turnout was recorded in the by-election to the Bhabanipur assembly seat, where West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is contesting to retain her post, as polling in the high-profile constituency in south Kolkata passed off peacefully on Thursday.
Around 53.32 per cent turnout was recorded in the seat till 5 PM. The Election Commission said that the final turnout till 6 PM will be available on Friday.
A high voting rate at 78.60 per cent and 76.12 per cent was recorded in Murshidabad''s Samserganj and Jangipur seats respectively, where polls had to be countermanded during the April-May assembly elections following the death of two candidates.
A total of 6,97,164 voters were eligible to exercise their franchise in the three constituencies.
Polling began at 7 am on Thursday for the by-election to the Bhabanipur seat, where West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is contesting, and two other constituencies amid tight security and stringent COVID-19 measures, officials said.
The by-polls are being held in south Kolkata's Bhabanipur, besides Jangipur and Samserganj seats in Murshidabad district. A total 6,97,164 voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in the three constituencies. Votes will be counted on October 3.
Ms Banerjee, who lost from the Nandigram constituency in the assembly elections earlier this year, has to win this by-poll to retain the chief minister's post.
Here are the highlights on Bhabanipur Bypoll:
Poll % at 3 PM
56- Samserganj - 72.45
58- Jangipur - 68.17
159- Bhabanipur - 48.08
Priyanka Tibrewal, the BJP candidate for Bhabanipur by-poll, alleges that TMC is paying some people to cast a vote
"A man confessed to me that TMC paid him Rs 500 to cast vote. He was from Bansdroni. I have informed the authorities," she says.
West Bengal: Voter turnout of 57.15%, 53.78% and 35.97% were recorded till 1 pm in Samserganj, Jangipur polls and Bhabanipur bypoll, respectively
West Bengal: Voter turnout of 40.23%, 36.11% and 21.73% were recorded till 11 am in Samserganj, Jangipur polls and Bhabanipur bypoll, respectively.
Bhabanipur records 7.57 per cent polling till 9 amAround 7.57 per cent polling was recorded in the by-election to the Bhabanipur assembly constituency, where West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is contesting, till 9 am on Thursday, Election Commission sources said.
During the first two hours, around 16.32 and 17.51 per cent voting was recorded in Samserganj and Jangipur seats in Murshidabad district, they said.
Polling began at 7 am amid tight security, news agency PTI reported.
Bhabanipur by-polls: Voting underway amid tight securityAmid the ongoing by-poll in the West Bengal's Bhabanipur Assembly constituency, the security has been increased in the city to prevent any untoward incident. Women personnel of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) have also been deployed in the constituency.
"Patrolling by Women CAPF as a part of Confidence Building Measures at parts of 159 Bhabanipur Assembly Constituency of Kolkata South District," Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) West Bengal tweeted and shared a video of women CAPF personnel on-duty.
Meanwhile, at least 7.57 per cent voter turnout was registered till 9 am during the by-election held in the Bhabanipur Assembly Constituency.
At least 16.32 per cent voter turnout was registered till 9 am in the Samserganj constituency, while 17.51 per cent voter turnout was registered in the Jangipur, the Election Commission informed.
By-polls are being conducted on Thursday in three assembly constituencies in West Bengal - Bhabanipur, Samserganj, and Jangipur.
90-year-old Manobashini Chakrabarty casts her vote at Mitra Institution polling booth in Bhabanipur
We're hoping for fair elections. Security deployment is very important. I will visit polling booths in the area today. The state government is in fear right now: Priyanka Tibrewal, BJP candidate for Bhabanipur by-poll
Not everyone can cast vote in Bhabanipur, Trinamool will prevent people from getting out of homes: Adhir Ranjan ChowdhurySenior Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Wednesday alleged that not every voter can cast their votes in Bhabanipur bypolls as the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) will prevent voters to get out of their homes.
Briefing mediapersons, Mr Chowdhury said, "We are contesting in Samserganj. TMC is causing violence there. They have attacked local journalists. The administration is silent as they are the agents of TMC."
"We have trust in Election Commission. Our only demand is that the Commission must ensure that people cast their votes peacefully. I believe that not everyone can cast their vote in Bhabanipur. TMC will try to prevent the voters who probably do not give their votes to the party to get out of their homes," added the Congress leader.