Tribune News Service & PTI

New Delhi/Kolkata, April 6

Five candidates, including two women, were assaulted, while clashes between rival political groups erupted during the third phase of polling in West Bengal on Tuesday.

1,800 complaints
Over 1,800 plaints of violence were received in WB and 11 persons held, said poll officer

Despite the violence, the state recorded 77.68 per cent polling till evening.

The police arrested five persons — three members of the TMC and two of the BJP — for their alleged involvement in assaulting TMC candidate Sujata Mondal in Arambagh.

Television grabs showed the TMC leader being chased in an open field by people wielding sticks and then hitting on the head. Her security officer was also injured.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged “blatant misuse of central forces to influence voters”.

Kerala witnessed around 73 per cent voting, Tamil Nadu 65 per cent and Puducherry 81 per cent in the single phase poll, while Assam recorded 82 per cent polling in the third and final phase.

The polling was held at 1,53,538 stations across 475 Assembly constituencies in four states and the UT.

So far during the elections, a record seizure worth Rs 947.98 crore has been made from the four states and the UT, the EC said. The seizures made included cash and narcotics.