Phase 3 has 15,000 Maoist-affected polling stations

More than 15,000 polling stations in 10 parliamentary constituencies in Bihar and West Bengal are affected by Maoist violence, the Election Commission said on Tuesday.

More than 15,000 polling stations in 10 parliamentary constituencies in Bihar and West Bengal are affected by Maoist violence, the Election Commission said on Tuesday.

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"As many as 15,193 polling stations in 10 parliamentary constituencies spread over Bihar and West Bengal are Naxal-affected. Of them, three are in West Bengal," Deputy Election Commissioner JP Prakash told reporters in New Delhi.

As many as 19,763 villages and hamlets have been identified as vulnerable to threat and intimidation, while 4,58,043 people have been kept on the watchlist, he said.

Polling in the third phase of Lok Sabha elections will take place on Thursday.