West Bengal polls: PM Modi, Mamata Banerjee urge citizens to vote in large numbers as Phase 4 voting begins

West Bengal Assembly election: Voting began in the fourth phase at 7am amid tight security.

As polling began in 44 seats in the fourth phase of West Bengal Assembly elections on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and state chief minister Mamata Banerjee urged citizens to vote in large numbers.

A polling officer applies indelible ink on the finger of a voter (AP Photo )

"As the 4th phase of the West Bengal elections begin, urging the people voting today to do so in record numbers. I would especially request the youth and women to vote in large numbers," PM Modi said in a tweet soon after the polling began at 7am amid tight security.

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"I urge my brothers and sisters in Bengal to come out in large numbers and exercise their democratic rights today," Mamata Banerjee's tweet read.

As on 9.30am, the voter turnout was 15.85%, according to the Voter Turnout application.

As many as 1,15,81,022 voters will decide the fate of the total 373 candidates in the fray in this phase.

Elections for the 294 Assembly seats in West Bengal, being held in eight phases, will conclude on April 29.

The fifth phase of the assembly elections will commence on April 17 and the results will be announced on May 2.