Over 71 per cent polling recorded till 3 PM in WB

Over 71 per cent vote were cast till 3 PM today in part two of the first phase polling in 31 assembly constituencies spread over three districts in West Bengal amid reports of stray incidents of violence.

Election Commission sources here said West Midnapore registered 76 per cent, Bankura over 70.80 per cent and Burdwan nearly 68 per cent polling till 3 PM.

Long queues were seen in front of various polling booths since early morning as people turned out in large numbers to beat the sweltering heat as day temperatures are above 40 degrees Celsius due to a heatwave in the area.

Sporadic incidents of violence were reported from polling booths in Jamuria constituency in Burdwan.

A CPI(M) agent was injured after he was allegedly beaten up by Trinamool Congress workers and obstructed from entering a polling booth in the constituency. TMC denied the allegation.

Two bags containing bombs were found near a polling booth in Jamuria by police. A scuffle between TMC and CPI(M) took place at Narayangarh in West Midnapore district when the Left party state secretary and Leader of Opposition Surjya Kanta Mishra, who is contesting from the constituency faced demonstration by ruling party workers.

Polling was disrupted for some time at a booth in Pandaveswar constituency in Burdwan district when a polling officer Parimal Bauri died of heart attack. Voting resumed after another officer took charge.

EC sources said that 1,460 poll-related complaints were received by the Commission of which 1292 were sorted out.

Seven EVMs were found to be malfunctioning at Barjora, two at Bankura and three at Chatna constituency before polling began in Bankura district. The EVMs were replaced quickly.

One EVM developed problem during voting at Chatna which was also replaced. Those whose fate would be decided today included state BJP president Dilip Ghosh, former WBPCC presdient Manas Bhunia, state minister Malay Ghatak, actor Soham Chakrabarty besides Mishra.