Fourth phase of Bengal polls: Over 67% turnout recorded till 3 p.m

The fourth phase of polling in West Bengal for 49 seats - 33 seats of Uttar 24-Parganas and 16 constituencies in Howrah districts - recorded overall turnout of 67.28 percent till 3 p.m on Monday, with Howrah recording the highest 67.31 percent turnout, followed by 67.27 percent in North 24 Paragnas.

Stray incidents of forceful prevention of the opposition polling agents from booth-duty by allegedly the ruling party workers have been reported from both Howrah and Uttar 24-Parganas. Two Trinamool Congress workers were injured in Howrah during a clash with CPI (M) workers.

Amid reports of a presiding officer helping and abetting rigging for TMC, the Election Commission removed the official of the Jujhurgachha booth in Minakha.

More than 1.08 lakh voters are enrolled to exercise their franchise through about 12 thousand 500 polling stations to decide the political future of 345 candidates, including 40 women.

Highest numbers of 15 candidates are in the fray in Howrah Uttar, while the lowest 4 each are contesting from Dum Dum Uttar, Madhyamgram Haroa, Minakha and Bashirhat Uttar in North 24 Parganas.