Bengal reported 79.79 per cent voter turnout in the first phase of the 2021 Assembly election while Assam, which also began voting today, reported 72.14 per cent turnout. Voting for the first phase of elections in the two states began this morning - for 30 and 47 seats respectively. In Bengal the Trinamool faces a stern test from the BJP (and a lesser one from the Congress-Left alliance) in its bid for a third straight term. In Assam the BJP is hoping to win a second straight term, with Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal the biggest name on the ballot today.
