LIVE: ​40% turnout in West Bengal municipal polls, CPI(M) calls 12-hour bandh on Monday

Amid reports of violence and alleged malpractices, over 40 percent polling was recorded till afternoon for election to two municipal corporations and Siliguri Mahukuma Parishad in West Bengal as the CPI(M) called a bandh in Rajarhat-Bidhannagar area on Monday in protest.

Kolkata: The polls are a precursor to next year's assembly elections in Bengal with ruling Trinamool Congress and its arch rival Left Front once again pitted against each other.

03 October 2015

16:30 IST

Amid reports of violence and alleged malpractices, over 40 percent polling was recorded till afternoon for election to two municipal corporations and Siliguri Mahukuma Parishad in West Bengal as the CPI(M) called a bandh in Rajarhat-Bidhannagar area on Monday in protest.

Accusing TMC of unleashing a reign of terror to loot votes in the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation, CPI(M) called 12-hour bandh in Bidhannagar-Rajarahat area on Monday protesting against alleged violence and malpractices.

15:42 IST

Several journalists were assaulted and a camera was also snatched away while they were trying to cover the incidents of alleged malpractice.

A female journalist alleged that she was threatened with "rape" by outsiders who had illegally swarmed a polling booth.

15:37 IST

State Election Commissioner SR Upadhaya said, "Barring a few complaints of alleged booth capturing, polling has been peaceful so far. Till 1 p.m. 47 percent of polling was recorded in Asansol, 43 percent in Siliguri, 38 percent in Bidhannagar and 43.7 percent in Bally."

12:38 IST

DCDD, Bidhanagar police commisionerate Kankar Prasad Barui said some crude bombs were hurled outside a polling booth in ward no 41 of a school in BD block of Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation this morning.

12:05 IST

Amid reports of violence and alleged malpractices, polling for the two newly formed municipal corporations and Siliguri Mahkuma Parishad across West Bengal registered 18 percent voter turnout in the first three hours today.

State Election Commissioner SR Upadhaya told PTI, "We have received reports of booth capturing and violence mainly from Bidhannagar and Asansol. We are taking stock of the situation and have taken necessary measures." 

11:17 IST

Violent clashes reported in Bidhannagar area during civic polls.

Violent clashes in Bidhannagar (WB) during local body polls. pic.twitter.com/UpTgOwjK24

— ANI (@ANI_news) October 3, 2015

11:05 IST

According to ANI clashes have been reported during the polling for Asansol and Bidhan Nagar Municipal Corporations. A district official said a bomb was hurled in Jamuria area of Asansol, but polling passed off peacefully in the corporation area by and large.

11:03 IST

State Election Commission sources said polling began peacefully with large queues seen outside the booths in both civic corporations in North 24 Parganas and Burdwan districts of West Bengal.

In the last battle before next year's assembly polls, elections are being held for the Asansol Municipal Corporation in Burdwan district, the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation in North 24 Parganas district and the Siliguri Mahakuma Parishad in Darjeeling district.

Polls are also being held for the 16 wards of the erstwhile Bally municipality which has now been merged with Howrah Municipal Corporation. Besides, bypolls are on for some rural body seats - two zilla parishads, 72 panchayat samitis and 341 gram panchayats.

The TMC's electoral supremacy will be challenged by the Left Front in the key municipal election.

The polls are a precursor to next year's assembly elections in Bengal with ruling Trinamool Congress and its arch rival Left Front once again pitted against each other.

The TMC's electoral invincibility will be challenged by an apparently resurgent Left Front.

The campaign for the election to the Asansol Municipal Corporation (106 wards) and Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation (41) ended on October 1 afternoon marked by rancour.

The results will be announced on October 16.