The tenth Panchayat elections in West Bengal finally began today after a month-long tussle over multiple-phase polls and demands for polling under the supervision of central forces. The polling phase started at seven in the morning amid the deployment of more than one and a half target central forces and monitoring by observers.&nbsp; It will continue until five in the afternoon.&nbsp; Due to the candidates' death and unopposed victory, 1,043 booths are not voting.&nbsp; As a result, 5 crores 67 lakh 21 thousand 234 people will exercise their right to vote in 60 thousand 593 booths.&nbsp; All twenty districts of the State, except Darjeeling and Kalimpong, are voting through ballots in Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti and Zilla Parishad.&nbsp;<br />''<br />''The Election Commission said 4,834 booths have been identified as sensitive, which is 7.84 per cent of the total booths.&nbsp; Meanwhile, there are QR codes on the ballot box and ballot paper to prevent rigging in the vote.&nbsp; Special observers of IAS rank are appointed in each district.&nbsp; Names and phone numbers to contact them have been advertised in the media.&nbsp; A control room has also been opened to redress complaints from voters with a toll-free number – 1800 345 5553<br />''In the ongoing tenth Panchayat elections in West Bengal, 22.60 percent of votes were polled till 11 am.<br />
News On AIR | July 8, 2023 2:06 PM
Panchayat elections in West Bengal begin today