Polling Begins in 44 Seats Spread Across 5 Districts in West Bengal for 4th Phase of Assembly Elections; Over 1.15 Cr Voters to Decide Fate of 373 Candidates

In West Bengal, peaceful polling is going on amid tight security for the 4th phase of assembly elections. Polling is being held in 14 seats of North Bengal and 30 seats of South Bengal. 15.85% polling has been recorded in the first two hours. Voting started at 7 am this morning and it will continue till 6.30 pm.

Large numbers of electors are seen standing in queues with their face masks on amidst shooting numbers of covid-19 cases. The state has seen the highest number of fresh covid cases since last November as more than three thousand and six hundred persons were infected within 24 hours.

Considering the pandemic threat, polling stations have been well sanitized and voters are maintaining social distancing in the



booth premises. They are allowed after thermal screening by Asha workers and covid protocols are followed throughout.

News reports that six assembly segments of South 24 parganas including high-profile seats like Tollygunje, Jadavpur, and Behala West within the ambit of the Kolkata Police area have been wrapped in tight security.

Over a hundred companies of Central forces and four thousand Kolkata police personnel have been deployed in more than two thousand polling stations around Kolkata. 33 officers in the rank of Deputy Commissioners of Police are on duty with their teams. Drones are also used for monitoring the situation. The gathering of more than 5 people within 200 meters of polling booths has been prohibited.