WB polls: Over 67 percent voter turnout till 3 PM

Over 67 percent voter turnout was recorded till 3 PM in the polling in 49 constituencies under the fourth phase of the West Bengal Assembly election today while more than 230 people were arrested in various poll-related incidents.   

Till 3 PM, 67.27 percent voters cast their votes in North 24-Parganas district while the corresponding figure in Howrah was 67.31 per cent.    

Overall, 67.28 percent voter turnout was recorded for 49 seats in the two districts after polling began at 7 AM, officials said.   

In North 24-Parganas district, Barrackpore Police Commissioner Niraj Singh told PTI that so far at least 231 persons had been arrested in different poll-related incidents like violation of Section 144, intimidation of voters or booth jamming.   

In Howrah, police commissioner D P Singh said there had been no arrests so far but a complaint was lodged against BJP leader Roopa Ganguly who was caught on TV cameras pushing a lady outside a booth at Bamangachi.   

She was also seen entering booths, talking to voters and even got involved in a heated exchange of words with polling personnel and alleged that Trinamool workers were jamming booth.   

Ganguly, who had shot to fame as the 'Draupadi' of 'Mahabharat' TV series on Doordarshan, is fighting from Howrah North seat.   

Trinamool candidate and cricketer Laxmi Ratan Shukla has also lodged a complaint against his co-contestant with the Election Commission.   

In Dum Dum North constituency, CPI(M) candidate Tanmay Bhattacharya suffered injuries on his hand after stones were hurled at his car.   

Four persons were arrested and an FIR has been filed against seven persons, Singh said.   

In Beejpur seat, a family of CPI-M supporters alleged that their three-and-half-year-old girl was beaten up last night following which two were arrested, he said.   

West Bengal CPI-M secretary Surjya Kanta Mishra said, "Unnerved TMC goons targeting all. From the 3.5-year-old child to the Left candidate. Even women were not spared. People will give a rebuff by ousting TMC".   

BJP candidate Locket Chatterjee was seen engaging in a war of words with a polling agent in Ariadaha where she went to cast her vote.