West Bengal panchayat polls: As it happened on May 14, 2018

Widespread violence during the panchayat polls in West Bengal on Monday left at least eight people dead and 43 injured, as 73 percent of the electorate turned out to cast their vote. 

Notwithstanding the elaborate security arrangements in which 60,000 security personnel from West Bengal and other states were deployed, violence broke out in North and South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, Burdwan, Nadia, Murshidabad and South Dinajpur districts.

Despite the violence, State Election Commission (SEC) sources said, as per PTI, that 73 percent polling was recorded till 5 pm, the closing hour, but many more voters were still in the queue.

At least 12 people died have died. The identity of six more yet to be ascertained. Three police personnel also injured. Last year 25 people were killed in the election. Security has been taken care of. We hope rest of the election will pass peacefully: Surajit Kar Purkayasth a,West Bengal DGP

Overall 56% polling recorded till 3 pm in West Bengal.

West Bengal: Ballot boxes looted at gunpoint by unidentified people at 44, 45 and 45K booths in Murshidabad.

#WATCH Ballot box being retrieved from a pond in West Bengal's Sonadangi. #PanchayatPolls pic.twitter.com/vDf3dUvtKI

— ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2018

West Bengal: Voting booth vandalised allegedly by TMC workers in North Dinajpur's Sonadangi during #PanchayatPolls pic.twitter.com/I9epqPreXR

— ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2018

In five hours of polling, four people died - One CPM member, one TMC supporter, one BJP member and one unidentified miscreant

According to the State Election Commission (SEC), 12.2 per cent votes were cast in the initial two hours of polling till 9 am.

The Opposition parties and ruling TMC blamed each other for the violence and clashes that marred the panchayat polls on Monday.

Reports of few elements pouring water into ballot boxes to stop the polling process emerged. 

"Not surprised by all the incidents that are happening since morning. Bengal govt is a shameless govt, you cannot expect them to follow any kind of constitutional behaviour. I demand President's Rule in WB," said Union Minister Babul Supriyo on violence in various during Panchayat Election

#WATCH: Clashes between BJP and CPI(M) workers in Durgapur. #WestBengal #PanchayatElection pic.twitter.com/FXzXFLXynz

— ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2018

A Trinamool Congress worker named Arif Gazi shot dead in Kultali area of South 24 Parganas district.

At least 20 people have been injured after a crude bomb explosion in Amdanga's Sadhanpur in North 24 Parganas, reported news agency ANI.

West Bengal Minister Rabindra Nath Ghosh caught on camera slapping a BJP supporter. However, he denied slapping the opposition party worker saying he was merely trying to move people away using his hand. He said, "BJP agent was trying to run away with ballot box, officers caught hold of him but people said let him go. I just drove people away using my hand, that's all. TMC hasn't attacked anyone."

#WestBengal: Ballot papers thrown in a pond after a clash that broke out between TMC & BJP in Murshidabad. Following which voting has been stopped for now. #PanchayatElection pic.twitter.com/0kcQSz4izl

— ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2018

"The person was injured after knife attack, allegedly by TMC workers, is a BJP candidate from Bilkanda. His name is Raju Biswas and he is undergoing treatment at Panihati State General Hospital," reports news agency ANI.

A BJP supporter was seriously injured in Barrackpur's Bilkanda village. Party members have alleged TMC workers are behind this attack. 

#Visuals from #WestBengal: BJP supporter in Bilkanda severely injured after being attacked with a knife, allegedly by TMC workers. He is presently undergoing treatment. #PanchayatElection pic.twitter.com/anRn2uSdQG

— ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2018

North Bengal Development Minister Rabindranath Ghosh reportedly slapped a BJP polling agent. Losing his cool, Ghosh dragged the man out of the polling booth in Cooch Behar's Dauwaguri. 

Yet another footage showed people, armed with sticks, blocking roads in South 24 Parganas' Bhangar.

#WATCH: Road blocked by locals in Bhangar. They allege TMC workers of capturing the booth. #WestBengal #PanchayatElections. pic.twitter.com/4KyJ8WWXgR

-- ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2018

The footage below shows some men, armed with heavy sticks, stopping people on the streets. 

#WATCH: Alleged TMC workers barring voters from entering Booth No. 14/79 in Birpara. #WestBengal #PanchayatElections pic.twitter.com/S3OR83QfHp

— ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2018

Incidents of violence being reported from other districts. A media vehicle was torched in Bhangar, with the camera broken. Mediapersons were not allowed to enter the area, reported news agency ANI.

A clash broke out between two groups in Cooch Behar with the polls underway. "We went there to votee but people belonging to TMC attacked us with sticks," said locals. Over 20 people were injured.

#WestBengal: 20 injured in a clash which broke out between two groups in Cooch Behar . The injured have been taken to MJN hospital for treatment. Locals say, 'We went there to votee but people belonging to TMC attacked us with sticks'. pic.twitter.com/hkHsqcsZa7

— ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2018

Two persons-- a CPM worker and his wife -- died after their house was allegedly torched on Sunday night 

#WestBengal: CPI (M) worker & his wife charred to death after their house in North 24 Parganas was torched last night, CPI (M) alleges TMC workers were behind the attack. pic.twitter.com/6Do8g0Cmr0

— ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2018

Voting underway for Panchayat Elections in #WestBengal, visuals from a polling booth in Cooch Behar. pic.twitter.com/lGLcp3s3eT

— ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2018

Over 71,000 armed personnel on duty, manning every booth. Armed forces have also arrived from Assam, Odisha, Sikkim and Andhra Pradesh to strengthen security arrangements.

Pre-poll statistics reveal that of the total 58,692 seats in the three tiers of rural local bodies, 20,076 seats or 34.2 per cent have already been decided uncontested, with the Trinamool bagging a whopping proportion of these seats.

Voters standing in a queue outside a polling booth in Purulia's Chakra to cast their vote for Panchayat Elections #WestBengal pic.twitter.com/gVBBCYfQKb

— ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2018

As the nomination process started last month, all the opposition parties accused the Trinamool of indulging in strongarm tactics to prevent them from filing nominations. Television pictures broadcast across the channels showed groups of armed mobs gathering before the offices of the Block Development Officers and the Sub-Divisional Officers in a number of districts and stopping prospective candidates from entering the poll fray. The matter reached the Calcutta High Court, and the State Election Commission (SEC) extended the deadline for submitting nominations by a day, only to reverse the order in less than 12 hours, allegedly under pressure from the Trinamool.

The judiciary then put a stay on the elections, then scheduled to be held on May 1, 3 and 5. More bitter legal battles followed, at the end of which the SEC declared May 14 as the new polling date.

Pre-poll surveys predict that the results of rural elections will be a precursor to national elections. The BJP is likely to emerge as the chief rival to the Trinamool, claims surveys.

Voters standing in a queue outside a polling booth in Jalpaiguri's Ashighar, with umbrellas in their hands, to cast their vote for #WestBengal Panchayat Elections pic.twitter.com/wodXBfaDFz

— ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2018

Voters queue up outside a polling booth in North 24 Parganas district ahead of voting for Panchayat elections in 20 districts of #WestBengal pic.twitter.com/Q7fdnGaneL

— ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2018

Long queues were seen outside several booths as people from all social and economic backgrounds patiently waited for their turn to exercise to vote.

Voters queue up outside a polling booth in Sirakole village in South 24 Parganas district. Voting for Panchayat elections in 20 districts of #WestBengal will begin shortly pic.twitter.com/okYdhAPmHC

— ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2018

Polling began at 7 am on Monday. Over 38,616 local representatives across three tiers to be elected in West Bengal Panchayat polls