New Delhi, April 23 (IANS) Trinamool Congress MP Shatrughan Sinha cast his vote during the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections on Thursday, highlighting the importance of exercising the franchise as a democratic responsibility as well as his connection to the state.

“I am going to cast my vote. For the first time in Bengal, in Asansol, I am going to vote along with these people. I am going to exercise my right and fulfill my duty as a voter…” Sinha said outside the polling booth.

Emphasising his identity and commitment to the democratic process, he stressed: “I am not just Bihari Babu, I am a Bengali Babu, and I am truly a Hindustani Babu. Voting is a national duty, and I have always fulfilled it and will continue to do so…”

Sinha’s remarks came as voters across West Bengal turned out in significant numbers for the first phase of polling, reflecting strong public participation in the electoral process.

Polling began at 7 a.m. on Thursday across 152 Assembly constituencies spread over 16 districts in the first phase of the two-phase elections. Long queues were seen outside several polling stations since early morning, indicating high voter enthusiasm across both urban and rural areas.

According to official data, voter turnout stood at 61.18 per cent so far, pointing to robust participation in this crucial phase. The Election Commission also received a total of 635 complaints related to polling by 11 a.m. Of these, 260 complaints were submitted physically to the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, while 375 were filed through the C-Vigil app.

The districts going to polls in this phase include Cooch Behar, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, North and South Dinajpur, and Malda in North Bengal, along with Murshidabad, East and West Midnapore, Jhargram, Purulia, Bankura, West Burdwan, and Birbhum in South Bengal.

The first phase is being closely watched as it covers a diverse mix of constituencies across the state. Authorities have deployed extensive security arrangements to ensure smooth and peaceful polling, even as isolated complaints and tensions have been reported in some areas.

The second phase of polling for the remaining 142 Assembly constituencies will be held on April 29, with the counting of votes scheduled for May 4.

–IANS

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