Hill figures up for new voters

SILIGURI, 19 APRIL: The percentage of poll has remarkably increased in the Darjeeling Hills compared to the last Assembly election. The average poll percentage in Darjeeling district was recorded at 79.68 per cent. It was 78.50 per cent in 2006.
A section of political leaders claimed that the new voters had increased the polling rate in this election and they might be a decisive factor to determine the fate of the contesting candidates in north Bengal amid the wave of change and question of the return of the 8th Left Front government. The percentage of polling in Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong Assembly constituencies was recorded at 72.09 per cent, 75.19 per cent and 79.17 per cent, respectively. The rate was on an average 70, 68 and 70 per cent respectively, in 2006, according to the information and cultural affairs department. sns