West Bengal polls: 25% votes in 2 hrs

Twenty-five per cent polling was recorded in the first two hours of voting in 14 Maoist-hit constituencies spread over three districts of West Bengal that went to polls in the sixth and last phase today.

"So far the elections here have been incident free and 25% polling was recorded till 9 am," a senior election official said here.

In West Midnapore, the polling percentage was 26%, 25% in Bankura 25 and in Purulia 22%, the official said.

Over 300 people of Belgaria village under Taldangra constituency in the district today boycotted polling for the sixth and final phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections, claiming they faced logistic problems in reaching the polling station.

"The polling station is located about 2.5 km away from the village. It is very difficult to go there without a vehicle to cast votes because of the distance. For this reason we have decided to boycott the poll," a spokesman of the villagers Dilip Singha Mohatpatra said.

The Block Development Officer (BDO), Saugata Maity confirmed the villagers' sentiment and said because of logistic problems, no vehicle could be arranged for the villagers.

Tight security arrangements have been made to ensure a free, fair and peaceful election in 14 seats in Maoist-affected Jangalmahal area spread over West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia districts.

While West Midnapore district has seven seats, Purulia has four and Bankura three.

Besides 41 para-military companies permanently stationed in the three districts to tackle Maoists, 614 additional companies have been deployed for the polls besides a huge number of state forces, according to the Election Commission.

Helicopters were being used for aerial surveillance and to ensure co-ordination among ground forces.
According to Election Commission's Khatra control room, which is in-charge of polling in the locality, not a single vote was cast since polling began from seven am in the polling booth set up for Belgaria villagers.

Polling was held today for three Maoist-hit constituencies of Bankura district along with 11 other seats in Purulia and West Midnapore districts in the sixth and final phase of Assembly election in West Bengal.

The six phased election for the 294 seat Assembly began on April 18.