83% turnout in phase 5

Eighty one% turnout was recorded in the fifth phase of West Bengal Assembly elections, which ended peacefully in four Maoist-affected districts today.Full coverage

A high turnout of 83% was recorded in the fifth and penultimate phase of the assembly elections in West Bengal, which ended without any untoward incident on Saturday. Polling was held in 38 constituencies spread over parts of Burdwan and West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia.

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"There were no major incidents of violence although 109 preventive arrests were made. The Election Commission received no complaints of rigging or other serious irregularities," said Sunil Gupta, chief electoral officer, West Bengal.

Ten arrests were made after a scuffle broke out between supporters of the Trinamool Congress and CPM outside a booth at Debra in West Midnapore, while 62 malfunctioning electronic voting machines had to be changed.

Voting for the 294-member assembly, which started on April 18, will end on Tuesday with the sixth phase. Polling has been completed for 280 seats. Votes will be counted on May 13.