Over 79 per cent polling recorded in West Bengal

Amid sporadic incidents and scorching heat, 79.56 per cent votes were cast today in part two of the first phase of polling in 31 Assembly constituencies spread over three districts in West Bengal.
Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal Sunil Gupta said the voter turnout in West Midnapore district was 84.71 per cent, 78.87 per cent in Bankura and 75.12 per cent in Burdwan. The average comes to 79.56 per cent.
No serious complaints were received from political parties and there were no cases of violence inside any polling booth, the CEO said adding there were some minor incidents outside some booths.

Long queues were seen in front of polling booths since early morning as people turned out in large numbers to beat the sweltering heat.
Bankura recorded the highest temperature of 45.1 degrees Celsius during the day, which was eight degrees above average, while Asansol and Burdwan recorded 43 deg C and 42.5 deg C respectively, according to the weatherman.
In Raniganj constituency, a presiding officer was removed following complaints that local Trinamool MLA Sohrab Ali, convicted on charges of stealing railway scrap, was trying to influence voters as his wife Nargis is a candidate from the seat on a Trinamool Congress ticket.

"The presiding officer was removed and departmental proceedings initiated against him. Sohrab was also removed from the spot and legal action is being initiated against him," the CEO said.
Seven persons were injured as TMC and CPI(M) supporters clashed in Charka and Gargajpota areas in Kespur constituency, the district election office said.