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.  It will continue until five in the afternoon.  Due to the candidates' death and unopposed victory, 1,043 booths are not voting.  As a result, 5 crores 67 lakh 21 thousand 234 people will exercise their right to vote in 60 thousand 593 booths.  All twenty districts of the State, except Darjeeling and Kalimpong, are voting through ballots in Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti and Zilla Parishad. 

The Election Commission said 4,834 booths have been identified as sensitive, which is 7.84 per cent of the total booths.  Meanwhile, there are QR codes on the ballot box and ballot paper to prevent rigging in the vote.  Special observers of IAS rank are appointed in each district.  Names and phone numbers to contact them have been advertised in the media.  A control room has also been opened to redress complaints from voters with a toll-free number – 1800 345 5553
In the ongoing tenth Panchayat elections in West Bengal, 22.60 percent of votes were polled till 11 am.