Polling has begun for much-awaited panchayat elections in West Bengal amid tight security. <br />''<br />''Voting is taking place for 621 zilla parishads, 6,157 panchayat samitis, and 31,827 gram panchayats. Polling, which began at 7 this morning, will end at 5 PM. The counting will take place on Thursday.<br />''<br />''Earlier, Supreme Court had asked State Election Commission to ensure the polls are conducted in absolute fairness, keeping in view of the concept of purity of an election in a democracy. After a protracted legal battle, the Panchayat polls is being held amid tight security<br />''<br />