Polling begins for 5th phase of Assembly Elections in West Bengal

Polling is underway for the fifth phase of Assembly elections in West Bengal. Voting, which began at 7 AM, will end at 6 PM. In this phase, polling is taking place for 53 constituencies spread over 24 Parganas Dakshin, Hooghly and Kolkata Dakshin districts.

349 candidates, including 43 women are in the fray. Prominent among them are Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of Trinamul Congress, Chandra Kumar Bose of BJP and Deepa Das Munshi of Congress.

Elaborate arrangements have been made to ensure free and fair polling. 680 companies of central forces have been deployed in all the three poll-bound districts. Election Commission has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 around all booths since the last evening.

Security forces rushed with local Police to Kashipur area in 24-Paragana Dakshin and brought a political



clash under control late last night. The TMC and Left supporters of three villages in the areas fought with bombs during the clash.

In 24-Parganas Dakshin and Hoogly districts and in the Port area in Kolkata  the moderate to brisk polling has remained peaceful during the initial hour of voting. The Police sources informed that no major incident of poll-related violence has been reported this morning due to the beefed up security.

Election Commission has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 around all the booths of the 53 constituencies since the last evening. Security forces rushed with local Police to Kashipur area in 24-Paragans Dakshin and brought a political clash under control late last night. The TMC and Left supporters of three villages in the areas fought with bombs during the clash.