Asia-Pacific

Final legislative polling in E.Indian begins

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-05-10 17:58

A woman holds up her ink-stained finger after casting her vote outside a polling station during the sixth and final phase of voting in Lalgarh village in West Midnapore district in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal May 10, 2011. The results for the month-long staggered election of the state will be known on May 13.[Photo/Agencies]

NEW DELHI -- Polling began Tuesday amidst tight security for the sixth and final phase of the eastern Indian state of West Bengal Assembly elections, covering 14 seats in the rebel-affected Jangalmahal area spread over West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia districts, reported the Press Trust of India.

A policeman gestures while standing guard as voters wait to cast their votes outside a polling station in Lalgarh village in West Midnapore district in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal May 10, 2011.[Photo/Agencies]

During this phase, 2.657 million voters will elect their representatives from 97 candidates. While West Midnapore district has the highest number of seven seats, Purulia has four and Bankura has three.

Prominent candidates in this phase include Communist Party of India (Marxist)'s Susanta Ghosh, a minister in incumbent chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee's government and the party's nominee and Law Minister in the outgoing cabinet Rabilal Moitra.