Nearly 80 pc voter turnout in phase II of West Bengal polls

West Bengal continued to witness impressive voter turnout as an estimated 79.70 per cent of over 1.2 crore electors cast their ballots in the second phase of the assembly polls in 56 constituencies today amid sporadic incidents of violence.
Election Commission said in Delhi the polling was "by and large" peaceful, barring a clash between workers of rival political parties.
Deputy Election Commissioner Sandeep Saxena told a press conference in the national capital that the final figure would be higher as the poll percentage was based on text messages sent by polling officials from the state to Commission headquarters here at 5 pm.

The state had seen massive turnout during part I and II of the phase I of assembly polls, that clocked 81 per cent and 79 per cent respectively. While 18 constituencies had gone to polls on April 4, voting was taken in 31 seats on April 11. In seven constituencies of Birbhum, affected by left-wing extremism, polling concluded early at 4 PM as a precautionary measure. Voting went on till 6 PM in the remaining seats.
After compilation and scrutiny, final voting percentage figures will be available tomorrow, sources in the election office said in Kolkata.
Altogether 32 persons were arrested, including 18 under preventive sections, during the day, ADG (Law and Order) Anuj Sharma said.

Sporadic incidents of clashes were reported from a few places. In Malda, two persons, including a ruling TMC's polling agent, were injured in a clash with CPI(M) supporters at a booth in Englishbazar assembly seat.
TMC polling agent Asraful Hossain was beaten up at a booth in Chanchal constituency, also in Malda district, allegedly by ex-pradhan Maqbul Hossain of Congress, officials said. Polling was temporarily stalled due to the incident after which Hossain was arrested, police said.