The voting for phase 2 in 30 constituencies of West Bengal for the second round of eight-phase assembly elections, which started at 7 am on Thursday, has concluded, reported PTI, quoting the Election Commission of India. The voter turnout recorded till 5 pm in the constituencies was 80.43%.

171 candidates, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, contested the second phase, reported PTI quoting Election Commission sources.

All the polling booths, spread across four districts, were declared as ‘sensitive’ by the EC.

Also read: Polling dates, 2016 results, big fight between TMC, BJP

A total of 651 companies of Central Armed Police were deployed in Bankura (Part II), Purba Medinipur (Part II), Paschim Medinipur (Part II) and South 24 Parganas (Part I).

On the final day of campaigning, on Tuesday, both the Trinamool Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party went all out. Nandigram saw hectic canvassing from both parties. The seat will witness a fight between the CM and BJP leader and her former follower Suvendu Adhikari.

Also read: Why all eyes are on Nandigram

Union Home Minister Amit Shah held roadshows with Bengal’s megastar Mithun Chakraborty in support of Adhikari in Nandigram during the day, while Banerjee, who is confined to a wheelchair following her injury which she had sustained while campaigning in the constituency, criss-crossed it addressing rallies at several venues.

Ruling party TMC is eyeing a third term whereas BJP is trying to build on its 2019 Lok Sabha performance, where it won 18 seats, only four less than TMC.

The counting of votes will be held on May 2.