KOLKATA: Polling is currently underway in 696 booths across 19 districts of West Bengal for the three-tier panchayat system. There have been reports of sporadic violence from various parts of the state. It is worth noting, though, that the level of violence reported so far is relatively low compared to what was witnessed on Saturday, the day of the initial polling. During the first two hours of polling on Saturday, several incidents of violence resulting in deaths were reported. However, the presence of an adequate number of central armed forces both inside and outside the polling booths has helped maintain a semblance of order.

In an effort to ensure voters' safety and encourage participation, several police officers and policemen have been visiting voters at their residences and offering to accompany them to the polling stations.

Late on Sunday night, the West Bengal State Election Commission (WBSEC) issued a notification stating that fresh polling would take place at 697 booths on Monday morning. However, it has now been confirmed that the number of booths has been reduced by one.

The districts with the highest number of booths undergoing re-polling since Monday morning are Murshidabad, followed by Malda and Nadia.

Tension escalated in Domjur, Howrah district, due to alleged attempts to break into the strong-room where the ballot boxes were stored. The situation was brought under control when a police contingent arrived at the spot.

According to Kallol Majumdar, a member of the CPI(M) state secretariat, miscreants from the Trinamool Congress party broke the back wall of the strong room.

"There have been reports of violence from Khejuri in East Midnapore district, where three ballot boxes were thrown into an adjacent pond. Activists from the ruling party have been hurling bombs in the area since Sunday night. The presence of central forces personnel is not visible there," he stated.

However, the leadership of the Trinamool Congress has denied these allegations.

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