Polling for the Kaliganj Assembly by-election began on Tuesday morning under heavy security provided by central forces. However, voter turnout remained low in the initial hours, likely due to heavy rainfall in the region.

According to the Election Commission of India, the polling percentage stood at 10.83% as of 9 am.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Trinamool Congress polling agent Jafar Ahmed said, “Generally, by 8 am, we see 100-150 voters. But today, the number was below 50 due to the rain. We are concerned that turnout will remain low if this continues through the day.”

A senior TMC leader from the Plassey area said the party would intensify its voter outreach later in the day. “After 1 pm, we will reach out to voters in every area and bring them to the booths. We do this every time, but today it’s even more critical because of the bypoll and the weather,” he said.

TMC candidate Alifa Ahmed cast her vote around 8.20 am at Mira Girls School in Plassey. “I’m confident that TMC will win. I will use my ten years of corporate experience and the lessons I learnt from my father to serve the people and contribute to Kaligunj’s development,” she said.

Ahmed is the daughter of former Kaliganj MLA Nasiruddin Ahmed, whose death in February this year necessitated the bypoll.

Meanwhile, BJP candidate Ashish Ghosh and Congress candidate Kabil Uddin Sheikh alleged that TMC workers were intimidating their polling agents at some booths.

Ghosh allegedly got into an altercation with the presiding officer at booth number 56, claiming his agent was forcibly removed by polling personnel. Sheikh alleged that their polling agent at booth number 21 was assaulted by TMC supporters. The TMC has denied these allegations.

The Election Commission has deployed 14 companies of central forces to ensure free and fair polling across 309 booths in the constituency. Voting began at 7 am and, barring a few sporadic complaints, the process has remained largely peaceful so far.