Polling ends for fifth phase in West Bengal; 78% turnout recorded

The polling saw sporadic incidents of violence that left seven people injured

A heavy turnout of over 78% was registered till 5 pm today in the fifth and penultimate phase of assembly polls in West Bengal, which saw sporadic incidents of violence that left seven people injured.

Voter turnout of 72.46% was recorded from Hooghly district, 73.19% in South 24 Parganas while Kolkata South had the lowest turnout of 58.05%.

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The overall average turnout was 72.19%, Election Commission said.

The poll panel ordered filing of an FIR against sitting Trinamool Congress MLA and party candidate Sonali Guha after she was caught on camera allegedly ordering party workers to beat up CPI(M) polling agents in her Satgachia constituency.

In South 24 Parganas, six persons were injured in poll violence while one injury was reported from Hooghly.

Four RSP workers were injured in a clash with TMC supporters at a booth at Bhangonkhali village in Basanti constituency after TMC activists allegedly prevented them from casting votes, a police officer said.

The injured were taken to Basanti hospital, he added.

A report from Canning in South 24 Parganas said two persons were injured as central force jawans resorted to lathicharge in front of a booth at Kathaliya village under Bahngar constituency to disperse clashing Trinamool Congress and CPI(M) supporters.

The two injured were rushed to Bhangar hospital, the officer said.

West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC Supremo Mamata Banerjee reacts as she arrives to casting her vote at a polling station in south Kolkata during 5th phase of State Assembly polls

Trinamool Congress candidate from Bhangar, Rezzak Mollah rushed to the spot and was involved in an altercation with the central forces following the incident, the officer said.

A report from Chinsurah in Hooghly district said a villager sustained head injury when he was allegedly attacked by Trinamool Congress supporters at Puin village in Arambag constituency for casting his vote.

He was rushed to Arambag sub-divisional hospital, the report said adding policee arrested one TMC supporter in the incident.

At Bahareshole village in Goghat constituency in Hooghly district, Forward Bloc candidate Bishwanath Tarak complained to EC that he was pushed allegedly by TMC supporters who had gathered in front of a booth.

The central forces swung into action and dispersed the TMC supporters.