West Bengal Legislative Assembly election, 2016

West Bengal Legislative Assembly election, 2016
India
4 April 2016 (2016-04-04) — 5 May 2016 (2016-05-05)
294 seats (out of 295 seats) in the West Bengal state assembly
148 seats needed for a majority
 
Leader Mamata Banerjee Surjya Kanta Mishra
Party AITMC CPI(M)
Alliance Independent Left Democratic Secular Front
Leader's seat Bhabanipur Narayangarh

A legislative assembly election is being held in 2016 for the 294 seats (out of 295 seats) of the Vidhan Sabha in the state of West Bengal in India. Like in 2011 election, the polls is being held in six phases.[1][2] The first phase was held in Naxalite-Maoist affected Red corridor areas with two polling dates- April 4 and April 11. The other phases was held on April 17, 21, 25, 30 and May 5. In the previous election in 2011, the All India Trinamool Congress, under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee, won a majority and ended the 34-year rule of the Left Front government.

Background

In the previous assembly election in 2011, the All India Trinamool Congress, under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee, won a majority and ended the 34-year rule of the Left Front government. During 2011 election, the main theme of TMC was paribartan (meaning "change"), implying it was time to change the Left Front reign of 34-years in the state. However, during the five year rule of TMC, urban population, in particular, were in general unhappy with the changes made by the government.[3] Also, newspapers reported that chief minister Banerjee has been only trying to consolidate votes from the sizable Muslim minority.[4]

Prior to the West Bengal elections, on 3 January 2016, a Muslim mob turned violent and vandalized Kaliachak Police station, block development office and public property in Kaliachak, Malda district.[5][6] Mamata Banerjee's government was severely criticised for not handling the situation better.[7][8][9]

In January 2016, the Election Commission of India urged the central government to allow it to carry out a limited delimitation exercise in West Bengal to ensure voting rights to people who came to India following the exchange of enclaves between India and Bangladesh.[10] It is speculated that the BJP will field more Muslim candidates in Bengal elections this time.[11] As per updated voter list for the year 2016 published by the Election Commission of India in January 2016, West Bengal has surpassed the rest of the country in elector-population ratio with 0.68. The final electoral roll in West Bengal for 2016 with 6.55 crore voters has 3.39 crore male and 3.16 crore female voters. [12] The expected rise in number of voters has made West Bengal's elector-population ratio most efficient in the country next to Tamilnadu. [13]

Religion data

Religion in West Bengal (2011)[14]

  Hinduism (70.53%)
  Islam (27.01%)
  Christianity (0.72%)
  Buddhism (0.30%)
  Sikhism (0.07%)
  Jainism (0.06%)
  Other Religions (1.03%)
  Atheist (0.001%)

As of 2011 census, Hinduism is the religion in West Bengal followed by 70.54% of the total population,[15][16] while Muslims comprise 27.01% of the total population, being the second-largest community as also the largest minority group.[17] Sikhism, Christianity, Buddhism and other religions make up the remainder.[18] Buddhism remains a prominent religion in the Himalayan region of the Darjeeling hills, and almost the entirety of West Bengal's Buddhist population are from this region.

Major issues

Saradha Group financial scandal has remained a major issue during the rule of Trinamool Congress. Narada News Sting on MPs and State Cabinet Ministers from All India Trinamool Congress (Public Interest Litigation have been filed at Calcutta High Court), lack of any major industrial investments, and law & order issue are at the heart of the election. Kolkata flyover collapse happened in the midst of poll process.

Schedule

Assembly elections in West Bengal are to be held in phases from 4 April to 5 May 2016.[19][20]

Voting phases.

Election dates by constituency

Phase Date No. of constituencies Voter turnout Constituencies
1(a) 4 April 2016 18 84.22%[21] Nayagram, Gopiballavpur, Jhargram, Salboni, Medinipur, Binpur, Bandwan, Balarampur, Baghmundi, Joypur, Purulia, Manbazar, Kashipur, Para, Raghunathpur, Ranibandh, Raipur, Taldangra.
1(b) 11 April 2016 31 83.73%[21] Dantan, Keshiary, Kharagpur Sadar, Narayangarh, Sabang, Pingla, Kharagpur, Debra, Daspur, Ghatal, Chandrakona, Garbeta, Keshpur, Saltora, Chhatna, Bankura, Barjora, Onda, Bishnupur, katulpur, Indus, Sonamukhi, Pandabeshwar, Durgapur Purba, Durgapur Paschim, Raniganj, Jamuria, Asansol Dakshin, Asansol Uttar, Kulti, Barabani
2 17 April 2016 56 83.05%[21] Kumargram, Kalchini, Alipurduars, Falakata, Madarihat, Dhupguri, Maynaguri, Jalpaiguri, Rajganj, Dabgram-Fulbari, Mal, Nagrakata, Kalimpong, Darjeeling, Kurseong, Matigara-Naxalbari, Siliguri, Phansidewa, Chopra, Islampur, Goalpokhar, Chakulia, Karandighi, Hemtabad, Kaliaganj, Raiganj, Itahar, Kushmandi, Kumarganj, Balurghat, Tapan, Gangarampur, Harirampur, Habibpur, Gazole, Chanchal, Harishchandrapur, Malatipur, Ratua, Manikchak, Maldaha, English Bazar, Mothabari, Sujapur, Baisnabnagar, Dubrajpur, Suri, Bolpur, Nanoor, Labpur, Sainthia, Mayureswar, Rampurhat, Hansan, Nalhati, Murarai.
3 21 April 2016 62 82.28%[21] Farakka, Samserganj, Suti, Jangipur, Raghunathganj, Sagardighi, Lalgola, Bhagawangola, Raninagar, Murshidabad, Nabagram, Khargram, Burwan, Kandi, Bharatpur, Rejinagar, Beldanga, Baharampur, Hariharpara, Nowda, Domkal, Jalangi, Karimpur, Tehatta, Palashipara, Kaliganj, Nakashipara, Chapra, Krishnanagar Uttar, Nabadwip, Krishnanagar Dakshin, Santipur, Ranaghat Uttar Paschim, Krishnaganj, Ranaghat Uttar Purba, Ranaghat Dakshin, Chakdaha, Kalyani, Haringhata, Chowrangee, Entally, Beleghata, Jorasanko, Shyampukur, Maniktala, Kashipur-Belgachhia, Khandaghosh, Bardhamandakshin, Raina, Jamalpur, Monteswar, Kalna, Memari, Bardhaman Uttar, Bhatar, Purbasthali Dakshin, Purbasthali Uttar, Katwa, Ketugram, Mangalkot, Ausgram, Galsi.
4 25 April 2016 49 81.25%[21] Bagda, Bangaon Uttar, Bangaon Dakshin, Gaighata, Swarupnagar, Baduria, Habra, Ashoknagar, Amdanga, Bijpur, Naihati, Bhatpara, Jagatdal, Noapara, Barrackpur, Khardaha, Dum Dum Uttar, Panihati, Kamarhati, Baranagar, Dum Dum, Rajarhat New Town, Bidhannagar, Rajarhat Gopalpur, Madhyamgram, Barasat, Deganga, Haroa, Minakhan, Sandeshkhali, Basirhat Dakshin, Basirhat Uttar, Hingalganj, Bally, Howrah Uttar, Howrah Madhya, Shibpur, Howrah Dakshin, Sankrail, Panchla, Uluberia Purba, Uluberia Uttar, Uluberia Dakshin, Shyampur, Bagnan, Amta, Udaynarayanpur, Jagatballavpur, Domjur.
5 30 April 2016 53 81.66%[21] Gosaba, Basanti, Kultali, Patharpratima, Kakdwip, Sagar, Kulpi, Raidighi, Mandirbazar, Jaynagar, Baruipur Purba, Canning Paschim, Canning Purba, Baruipur Paschim, Magrahat Purba, Magrahat Paschim, Diamond Harbour, Falta, Satgachhia, Bishnupur, Sonarpur Dakshin, Bhangar, Kasba, Jadavpur, Sonarpur Uttar, Tollygunge, Behala Purba, Behala Paschim, Maheshtala, Budge Budge, Metiaburuz, Kolkata Port, Bhabanipur, Rashbehari, Ballygunge, Uttarpara, Sreerampur, Champdani, Singur, Chandannagar, Chunchura, Balagarh, Pandua, Saptagram, Chanditala, Jangipara, Haripal, Dhanekhali, Tarakeswar, Pursurah, Arambag, Goghat, Khanakul.
6 5 May 2016 25 86.76%[21] Mekliganj, Mathabhanga, Cooch behar Uttar, Cooch behar Dakshin, Sitalkuchi, Sitai, Dinhata, Natabari, Tufanganj, Tamluk, Panskura Purba, Panskura Paschim, Moyna, Nandakumar, Mahisadal, Haldia, Nandigram, Chandipur, Patashpur, Kanthi Uttar, Bhagabanpur, Khejuri, Kanthi Dakshin, Ramnagar, Egra.

On 4 March 2016, Election Commission of India announced that 22 assembly constituencies in West Bengal would have Voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) machines attached along with EVMs.[22] Voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) machines were to be in place in more than 5,993 polling stations.[23]

Assembly constituencies of West Bengal having VVPAT facility with EVMs[24]
CoochBehar Dakshin Alipurduar Jalpaiguri (SC)
Siliguri Raiganj Balurghat
Englishbazar Murshidabad Krishnanagar
Barasat Jadavpur Ballygunge
Chowrangee Howrah madhya Chandannagore
Tamluk MedinipurPurulia
BankuraBarddhamanBehala Paschim
Suri

[25]

Candidates

On 10 March, BJP released its first candidate list of 52 members.[26]

AITC released its candidate list the same day the elections were announced on 5 March.[27]

Left Front which consists of CPI(M), CPI, RSP and All India Forward Bloc too released its candidate list.[28]

INC (Congress) declared its list of 95 candidates, having an "understanding" with Left Front regarding seat-sharing.[29]

Parties and alliances

INC leaders hinted at a Left-Congress alliance in the assembly polls scheduled for next year, to give the ruling Trinamool Congress a tough fight.[30] This materialized into a seat sharing "understanding" between INC and Left Front in all seats except in Murshidabad district.

Giving indications of a possible alliance between Trinamool Congress and the AAP and JD-U in the future, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that they were already in a "relationship".[31] [32]

Parties

Trinamool Congress
Congress+ LF (INC+)
Left Front+
National Democratic Alliance
Others

Opinion polls

When conducted Ref Polling organisation/Agency

TMC

Left Front + Congress
Other
March 2016 [33] India TV-CVoter 1 127 7
March 2016 [34] ABP News-Nielsen 178 110 6
March 2016 [35] ETV Bangla 201 61 32
March 2016 [36] News Nation 167 125 2
March 2016 [37] Zee 24 Ghanta 200 90 4
March 2016 [38] Intelligence Bureau (India) 184+ 95 5

Voting

79.22% voting was recorded in third phase of West Bengal Polls held on 21st April 2016. [39] 79.51% voting was recorded in second phase of West Bengal polls.[40][41]

Result

West Bengal election results will be announced along with other four assemblies on 19 May 2016.[42]

Pos Party Contested Seats Swing Votes Vote swing
1 Trinamool Congress
2 Left Front
Congress
3 BJP+
4 Others
Total 294

District wise Result

District Total TMC LEFT INC BJP Others
Cooch Behar

9
Jalpaiguri

12
Darjeeling

6
North Dinajpur

9
South Dinajpur

6
Malda

12
Murshidabad

22
Nadia

17
North 24 Parganas

33
South 24 Parganas

31
Kolkata

11
Howrah

16
Hooghly

18
East Midnapore

18
West Midnapore

19
Purulia

9
Bankura

12
Burdwan

25
Birbhum

11
Total

294

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Six phases in Bengal".
  2. ↑ "Assembly Election Result 2016, Assembly Election Schedule Candidate List, Assembly Election Opinion/Exit Poll Latest News 2016". infoelections.com. Retrieved 2016-04-10.
  3. ↑ Mahaprashasta, Ajoy Ashirwad (14 April 2016). "Critical Challenges Lie Ahead for Trinamool Congress to Retain West Bengal’s Vote". The Wire. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
  4. ↑ Gupta, Smita (26 April 2016). "Mamata, Muslims and paribartan". The Hindu. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
  5. ↑ "Everything You Wanted To Know About Malda Violence, But Were Too Secular To Ask".
  6. ↑ "Malda flare-up : why the BJP is making such an issue of it".
  7. ↑ "48 hours after communal riots, Kaliachak in Malda turns ghost town".
  8. ↑ "Why did the media ignore the Malda communal violence?".
  9. ↑ http://thewire.in/2016/01/08/as-elections-come-closer-communal-pot-bubbles-in-west-bengal-18855/
  10. ↑ http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/west-bengal-polls-election-commission-seeks-nod-for-delimitation-in-enclaves/articleshow/50452516.cms
  11. ↑ http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2015-12-24/news/69282612_1_muslim-candidates-bjp-leadership-bjp-members
  12. ↑ http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/bengal-electorpopulation-ratio-jumps/article8079188.ece
  13. ↑ "West Bengal Voter List Record details". CEO Voter-List. March 20, 2016.
  14. ↑ "Population by religion community - 2011". Census of India, 2011. The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Archived from the original on 25 August 2015.
  15. ↑ "Census nails promoters of paranoia- Diversity shrinking".
  16. ↑ "Assembly polls: Chasing the Muslim vote".
  17. ↑ "Could it take two to tango with Mamata?".
  18. ↑ "Data on Religion". Census of India (2001). Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Archived from the original on 12 August 2007. Retrieved 26 August 2006.
  19. ↑ "West Bengal Assembly Election Schedule 2016 - infoelections.com".
  20. ↑ http://infoelections.com/infoelection/index.php/kolkata/6333-west-bengal-assembly-election-schedule.html
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 86% voter turnout in 6th phase of West Bengal polls
  22. ↑ "Schedule for the General Elections to the Legislative Assemblies of Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry VVPAT Usage".
  23. ↑ "a total of 5,993 polling stations in the state will have VVPAT system".
  24. ↑ "VVPAT usage in 64 seats in 5 states Schedule for the General Elections to the Legislative Assemblies of Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry." (PDF).
  25. ↑ http://infoelections.com/infoelection/index.php/kolkata/6333-west-bengal-assembly-election-schedule.html
  26. ↑ "West Bengal Assembly Election BJP Candidate List 2016". Infoelection.
  27. ↑ "West Bengal Assembly Election TMC Candidate List 2016". Infoelection.
  28. ↑ "West Bengal Assembly Election Left Front Candidate List 2016". Infoelection.
  29. ↑ "West Bengal Assembly Election Congress Candidate List 2016". Infoelection.
  30. ↑ "Left-Congress alliance in West Bengal Elections 2016, hinted Left leaders". infoelections.
  31. ↑ "TMC indicates coalition with AAP & JDU". infoelections.
  32. ↑ "West Bengal Assembly Election 2016". infoelections.
  33. ↑ http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections-2016/west-bengal-elections-2016/news/Opinion-polls-show-Trinamool-winning-West-Bengal-despite-Left-surge/articleshow/51650635.cms
  34. ↑ "ABP News Opinion Poll: Bengal". ABP News Bureau. 29 March, 2016. Retrieved 5 April 2016. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  35. ↑ "Opinion Polls: Win for Mamata, lead for Jaya, Kerala to LDF, Assam to NDA". IBN News. Apr 01, 2016. Retrieved 5 April 2016. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  36. ↑ http://infoelections.com/infoelection/index.php/kolkata/160-opinion-poll-westbengal.html
  37. ↑ http://www.elections.in/blog/west-bengal-election-exit-poll-2016/
  38. ↑ http://www.elections.in/blog/west-bengal-election-exit-poll-2016/
  39. ↑ http://infoelections.com/infoelection/index.php/kolkata/7373-west-bengal-election-fourth-phase-live-voting-updates.html
  40. ↑ http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/assams-85-has-pollsters-riveted/article8462872.ece
  41. ↑ http://www.livemint.com/Politics/zyVwmJTO0g3FarxLge56AJ/Second-day-of-polling-in-Assam-West-Bengal-begins.html
  42. ↑ http://infoelections.com/infoelection/index.php/kolkata/180-wbresult2011.html

External links

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