Page 198 - Leap of Faith Vol - 2

Leap of Faith Journey of Indian Elections

In the midst of these elections, on April 13, 2021, Sushil campaign for the remaining phases. Thus campaigns were
th
Chandra took over as the 24 Chief Election Commissioner ordered to terminate 72 hours before polling ended,
of India upon the retirement of Sunil Arora. instead of customary 48 hours. All kinds of road shows and
rallies etc between 7 PM and 10 AM were prohibited.
In early April, the COVID-19 scenario started turning grim
in several parts of India. With three phases of polling still The West Bengal elections ended on April 29. The overall
remaining in West Bengal, continued election campaigns voters' turnout crossed 80 percent. The counting of votes
attracted criticism. The relationship between election for all states/UT took place on May 2. The counting was
rallies and spike in COVID-19 cases was at best tenuous, as done in 2364 halls as against 1002 in 2016 to maintain
a number of other states, which did not witness any physical distancing norms. The Commission had appointed
election, experienced similar surge. However, on April 16, 822 Returning Officers, 7000 Assistant Returning Officers
the Election Commission ordered curtailment of and 1100 Counting Observers for the process.

Legislative Assembly Elections 2021

ASSAM
Assembly Seats: 126 Polling Stations (PS) in -
Electors: 2,32,44,454 2016: 24,890
2021: 33,530
% increase in PS: 34.71%
WEST BENGAL
Assembly Seats: 294 Polling Stations (PS) in -
TOTAL Electors: 7,34,07,832 2016: 77,413
Assembly Seats: 824 2021: 1,01,916
Electors: 18,72,66,892 % increase in PS: 31.65%
The final numbers of electors PUDUCHERRY
were subject to minor revision Assembly Seats: 30 Polling Stations (PS) in -
due to reconciliation Electors: 10,02,589 2016: 930
2021: 1,559
% increase in PS: 67.53%
KERALA TAMIL NADU
Polling Stations (PS) in - Assembly Seats: 140 Assembly Seats: 234 Polling Stations (PS) in -
2016: 21,498 Electors: 2,67,88,268 Electors: 6,28,23,749 2016: 66,007
2021: 40,771 2021: 88,936 PERCENTAGE INCREASE
% increase in PS: 89.65% % increase in PS: 34.73% in Number of Polling Stations

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