Peaceful polling in first phase of W Bengal elections

New Delhi, Apr 17 (UNI) Nearly 70 per cent polling was recorded in the first phase of West Bengal assembly elections today across 45 constituencies.

Deputy Election Commissioner R Balakrishnan said the polling was peaceful with no major incident reported.

At some places, the electronic voting machines malfunctioned.

There were some incidents of poll boycott on account of local issues, he told reporters.

About 40,000 personnel were involved in the exercise.

Significantly, the women voted in large numbers, said Mr Balakrishnan.

A total of 227 candidates were in the fray with 68 lakh voters.

UNI SU PA RN1908