A comparatively lesser voter turnout amid scattered incidents of violence and allegations of molestation against central force jawans — that was promptly interpreted by the Opposition parties as a Trinamool Congress ploy to demoralise the men in uniform — marked the fifth phase of polling in Bengal.
Notwithstanding stray violence booth-jamming and treats issued by alleged TMC goons across the seven constituencies about 73 percent voters exercised their franchise — compared to about 75 percent in the fourth phase — when reports last came in at 5. The polling percentage could goup by a few percentage points as there were long queues outside the polling stations.
Out of the seven constituencies Arambag, Hooghly and Seerampore in Hooghly district recorded about 76.90%, 74.17%, and 71.18% respectively whereas Bangaon and Barrackpore in North 24 Parganas district 75.73%, and 68.84% voters exercised their franchise. While 68.84%, voters cast their votes in Howrah about 74.50% voters voted in neighbouring Uluberia also in Howrah district.
Sporadic incidents of violence were reported from Barrackpore Hooghly and Howrah, Election Commission sources said. At Barrackpore BJP candidate Arjun Singh was twice gheraoed by TMC men leading to scuffle between the two parties.