The world's largest and the country's intensely contested month long Lok Sabha elections came to a close this evening. Moderate to heavy polling has been reported in most of the 41 Lok Sabha constituencies West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in the 9th and final phase today.

In West Bengal over 77 percent was recorded till 5.00 PM while in Uttar Pradesh it was above 51 percent. In the prestigious Varanasi constituency, the voter turnout was about 52 percent till 5.00 PM beating the total 42.61 percent polling in the constituency in 2009. Chandoli constituency recorded a highest 55 percent voter turnout till 5.00 pm while Basgaon constituency recorded a minimum 48 percent. In Bihar the voter turnout was 47.14 percent till 3.pm. with Vaishali recording a maximum poll percentage of 52 percent.

Voting was by and large peaceful in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh but in West Bengal 4 persons received bullet injuries in a series of clashes between ruling Trinamool Congress and Opposition CPI(M) supporters at Haroa in North 24 Pargana district. 16 injured have been admitted to hospitals. Stray incidents have also been reported from some areas of Kolkata. Opposition parties have blamed the Trinamul Congress for the violence.