11 dead in violence as West Bengal votes for panchayat polls

At least 11 people died as rural West Bengal votes for the crucial three-tier panchayat polls on Saturday, reports NDTV.

The election serves as a litmus test for the 2024 parliamentary elections and could reshape the state's political landscape, the Indian media adds.

Members from several parties were among those killed in the violence. Six were from Trinamool, and one each of the BJP, Left, Congress, and ISF. One other deceased remained unidentified, according to news agency PTI.

Ballot boxes were also destroyed in several places in the violence.

Voting began at 7am in 73,887 seats in the rural areas of the state with 5.67 crore people picking between 2.06 lakh candidates for nearly 928 seats across 22 zilla parishads, 9,730 panchayat samitis, and 63,229 gram panchayats seats.

Till 11am, 22.6 per cent voter turnout was recorded.

Widespread violence was reported since the polls were first announced on June 8. According to PTI, 15 people including a teenager have died so far.

/KN/