Kolkata, April 23 -- With nearly 90 per cent polling till 5 pm, making it likely to be one of the highest polling turnout in the country, voting in the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections across 152 constituencies formally concluded on Thursday evening, although long queues were still seen outside several polling stations.
As per election rules, polling will technically end only after the last voter standing in line at 6 pm exercises his or her franchise.
The phase witnessed an unprecedented surge in participation, with polling nearing a record-breaking 90 per cent, marking one of the highest voter turnouts in the state's history.
By 5 pm, the overall voter turnout stood at 89.93 per cent, already surpassing previous benchm...