Lok Sabha Elections 2014: Nearly 60% poll recorded till 1 pm in West Bengal

Nearly 60% votes have been polled till 1 pm in West Bengal, where polling is going on in four Parliamentary constituencies in the first phase of the five-phase election to decide the fate of 47 candidates.

"On an average 59.16% of the 60,33,310 voters have cast their votes in the first six hours of polling in four Lok Sabha constituencies of Coochbehar, Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling in north Bengal," state's Chief Electoral Officer Sunil Gupta said here today.

Coochbehar witnessed 59.48% polling in the first six hours while Alipurduar 59.86%, Jalpaiguri 60.89% and Darjeeling 56.43% polling.

Barring replacement of a few EVMs after mock polling was conducted before the election process began in some places, the entire election process was peaceful except some stray incidents, Gupta said.

Reports of malfunctioning of five EVMs each were received from Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar constituencies, district sources added.

"We have not yet received report of any major incident regarding disruption of law and order or complaint of booth jamming or violation of the Model Code of Conduct," Gupta said.

Arrangements were made for webcasting and live monitoring of sensitive areas amid tight security provided by central forces which were more than double the 2011 Assembly election, the CEO said.