Polling is underway in the first phase of the West Bengal assembly elections across 152 assembly constituencies and 16 districts, with a turnout of 18.76% until 9am. West Midnapore recorded the highest turnout of 20.51%, and Malda the lowest (16.96%).
Over 36 million electors are eligible to vote for 1,478 candidates, including 167 female candidates, in the first phase. The polling began hours after political clashes were reported in Domkal and Nowda (Murshidabad) and Sitalkuchi (Cooch Behar) late on Wednesday night.
Four people were injured in a clash between ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Communist Party of India (Marxist) supporters in Domkal. Crude bombs were hurled in Nowda. At Sitalkuchi, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader was injured.
A section of voters alleged they were threatened with firearms and asked not to go to the polling station at Raipur village in Domkal on Thursday morning, prompting police to rush to the spot.
The second phase of voting for the remaining 142 seats in West Bengal will be held on April 29. The votes will be counted on May 4.
Chief minister Mamata Banerjee-led TMC is seeking a fourth consecutive term. Its arch-rival, the BJP, is aiming to oust the TMC government.
