Ballot takes over city

According to the figures released by the Election Commission,Kolkata North constituency recorded 68 per cent voting and Kolkata South notched 63 per cent till 5 pm,when the polling was still going on. The figures are expected to rise after the final data will be available.

In contrast,Mumbai recorded a turnout of nearly 45 per cent and Capital Delhi saw 50 per cent polling. Reports received till late this evening suggest that Chennai,which went to the polls today,recorded a 47 per cent turnout.

The pullout of the Nano project from Bengal and the Nandigram stalemate were the important issues for Kolkata this elections. But these alone could not have led people to turn out in large numbers because other cities had issues too.

For Mumbai,26/11 was an emotive issue but the people’s anger against the government did not translate into a higher turnout in the country’s business capital. If there were a number of civic and development issues in Delhi,public mood in Chennai was affected by the Tamil crisis.

Still,if Kolkata surged ahead in terms of voting,political observers say,it is because the lower middle class is more politically active in the city. “In Kolkata,even hawkers,auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers are aligned with some political group. In return,they can sell their vote and thus the turnout of voters is high. In cities like Mumbai and Delhi the people are governed by market economics rather than political support,” said Abhirup Sarkar,a professor at ISI Kolkata. According to him the political alignment of people causes a high voter turnout.

“We in Kolkata are more politically motivated than any other place in the country as we always have an opinion on everything. Moreover,this time youths came out in large numbers to vote and hence the voting percentage is high,” said Deepika Kedia,the state coordinator of the National Election Watch,an organisation involved in spreading awareness about voting.

BENGAL ELECTS
Phase -I: 70%
Dead 3
Of the 14 constituencies that went to polls,eight were in North Bengal and six in South Bengal,areas where Naxals hold sway. Maoists blew up a government jeep in Jamboni,killing three staff on poll duty on the spot

Phase -II: 75%
Dead 5
The polls in 17 seats witnessed clashes between Trinamool and Left supporters. Five lost lives — three in clashes and two by sunstrokes. Post-poll violence erupted at various places leaving over half a dozen more dead

Phase -III: 80%
Dead 3
As 11 seats went for polls,people thronged the booths in large number since early morning. Polls were by and large peaceful but violence between CPM and Trinamool Congress supporters claimed two lives. In a freak accident,a vehicle of election observer ran over a person,killing him on the spot. But the large turnout left ruling and Opposition parties guessing