Counting of polls begin in West Bengal

Kolkata, May 11 (UNI) Counting of votes for 293 assembly seats began in West Bengal this morning as the state awaits the results of its five phase elections that ended on May 8.

Elections to the State Assembly began on April 17 as the Election Commission took over the poll process. Polling for Bhatpara constituency, that was countermanded, will be held on May 16.

Counting began at 0800 hours in 97 centres across the state under a elaborate security cover. Central Paramilitary Forces have kept a tight vigil around the centres.

According to the election commission the entire counting process is expected to be completed by noon today.

The fate of 1,654 candidates, including that of 32 ministers of the ruling Left Front, will be decided today by 2,52,08351 voters as the results will pour in at the end of the first-ever marathon five phase election that lasted 25 days.

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