Kolkata:
91 civic bodies go to poll today across West Bengal amidst heightened security after violence was reported during Kolkata Corporation elections that were held on April 18.
Nearly 74 lakh voters are expected to cast their vote in the ongoing civic polls which are touted as crucial before the 2016 state assembly elections.
31 Border Security Force (BSF) companies have been deployed for patrolling duty in the poll bound areas. This is in addition to the three companies that have already been stationed.
"They will protect borders to prevent infiltration, besides conducting flag march in sensitive areas," said SR Upadhyay, State Election Commissioner.
In addition, nearly 28,000 police personnel have been stationed at 8756 polling booths of which more than half have been declared sensitive. 320 booths have also been fitted with webcams.
Incidents of sporadic violence were reported during the Kolkata Municipal Corporation polls that were held on April 18. A police sub-inspector was injured after he was hit by a bullet during a clash allegedly between two political parties soon after the city civic polls.
The opposition parties - the BJP, Left and the Congress - have blamed the Trinamool Congress of rigging the polls.
Rubbishing allegation of malpractices during the KMC poll held on April 18, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, "Democracy has returned after 34 years that is why criticism is being made. I have never seen such a peaceful election." She said that of the 4646 booths in Kolkata Municipal Corporation, complaints had come from only 10-12 booths and prompt action was taken to address them.
Political parties are seeing these polls as a 'semi-final' before the state assembly elections next years.
91 civic bodies go to poll today across West Bengal amidst heightened security after violence was reported during Kolkata Corporation elections that were held on April 18.
Nearly 74 lakh voters are expected to cast their vote in the ongoing civic polls which are touted as crucial before the 2016 state assembly elections.
32 BSF companies have been deployed for patrolling duty in the poll bound areas. This is in addition to the three companies that have already been stationed.
"They will protect borders to prevent infiltration, besides conducting flag march in sensitive areas," said SR Upadhyay, State Election Commissioner.
In addition, nearly 28,000 police personnel have been stationed at 8756 polling booths of which more than half have been declared sensitive. 320 booths have also been fitted with webcams.
Incidents of sporadic violence were reported during the Kolkata Municipal Corporation polls that were held on April 18. A police sub-inspector was injured after he was hit by a bullet during a clash allegedly between two political parties soon after the city civic polls.
The opposition parties - the BJP, Left and the Congress - have blamed the Trinamool Congress of rigging the polls.
Rubbishing allegation of malpractices during the KMC poll held on April 18, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, "Democracy has returned after 34 years that is why criticism is being made. I have never seen such a peaceful election." She said that of the 4646 booths in Kolkata Municipal Corporation, complaints had come from only 10-12 booths and prompt action was taken to address them.
Political parties are seeing these polls as a 'semi-final' before the state assembly elections next years.