20% polling in first two hours of voting in WB

Twenty per cent polling was recorded in the first two hours of voting in 38 constituencies in parts of Bankura, Purulia, West Midnapore and Burdwan districts where the fifth phase of West Bengal Assembly polls is underway.  

"The turnout so far is good. In the first two hours, polling was 20% and no untoward incident has been recorded so far," officials said.

In West Midnapore, the polling turnout was the highest with 22% closely followed by Burdwan with 21% and Bankura and Purulia recording 20 and 19% respectively. 

An electorate of over 74.17 lakh will elect their representatives from among 193 candidates, including Health Minister Suryakanta Mishra and WBPCC president Manas Bhunia.

Of the 38 seats, 12 are in West Midnapore, five in Purulia, nine in Bankura and 12 in Burdwan district.  

The Left Front is contesting all the 38 seats while Trinamool Congress has fielded candidates in 33 and alliance partner Congress in five.

Tight security arrangements have been made to ensure peaceful polling with deployment of around 6,000 central paramilitary personnel besides state forces, according to election office sources here. 

The six-phase election will end on May 10.