83.48% votes cast as final phase polls end in WB

Polling for the sixth and final phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections ended peacefully today with a 83.48% voter turnout in 14 Maoist-hit constituencies spread over three districts.

The fate of CPI(M)'s Susanta Ghosh, the state minister from Garbeta who had made derogatory remarks at Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, Law Minister Rabilal Moitra from Gopiballavpur and jailed PCPA leader Chhatradhar Mahato, who contested as an independent from the Jhargram seat, were sealed in EVMs.

While the overall percentage was 83.48%, West Midnapore district recorded 85.31%, Purulia 76.80% and Bankura 84.50%, Election Commission sources said, adding polling was largely peaceful.

Since polling was held in Maoist-hit areas, polling ended two hours earlier at 3 pm today.

Security was tight with helicopters keeping aerial surveillance and 614 companies of Central forces, besides the 41 permanently posted in the three districts.

West Bengal police issued identity badges to Central and state forces as a measure against Maoists creating trouble masquerading as security forces, officials said.

In all the 14 constituencies, armed policemen patrolled on foot, motorcycles and vehicles besides keeping watch from rooftops and in polling booths.

Two surrendered Maoists Sobha Mandi and Bibhuti Karak voted at Salboni and Belpahari, sources said.

The sound of an explosion in the forests at Keria in Nayagram, adjoining Orissa was clarified to be that of a dynamite for construction of a canal going on in the neighbouring state, Additional Superintendent of Police (Jhargram), Mukhesh Kumar said.

There was 83.75% polling in 54 seats in the first phase on April 18-- 85.32% in 56 seats in the second phase on April 23-- 78.3% in 75 seats in the third phase on April 27-- 84.8% in 63 seats in the fourth phase on May 3 and 83% in 38 seats in the fifth phase on May 7.