Amidst reports of violence, intimidation, bombings, and Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) malfunctioning, 80.16 percent of the electorate across eight parliamentary constituencies in West Bengal exercised their voting rights in the sixth phase of Lok Sabha polls 2019 till 8 pm.
Tamluk (82.99 percent) reported the highest polling percentage followed by Jhargram (ST) (81.91 percent), Bishnupur (SC) (81.90 percent), Midnapore (80.50 percent), Kanthi (80.06 percent), Ghatal (79.33 percent), Purulia (78.89 percent), Bankura (75.68 percent).
In the last Lok Sabha polls in 2014, the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress had won all eight seats.
Violence erupted in Jhargram seat of West Bengal, where a BJP worker, identified as Ramen Singh (30) from Gopiballabpur died after sustaining grievous head injury following an attack allegedly by TMC workers.
In another incident, the saffron party's candidate from Ghatal and former IPS officer Bharati was forced to take shelter inside a temple beside the Keshpur police station after being heckled and chased allegedly by TMC supporters, who accused of her instigating violence in the area.
Rapid Action Force (RAF) and the police had to resort to lathi-charge to disperse the crowd. She was later rescued and given shelter in the Keshpur police station.
The mob led by Trinamool Congress supporters got infuriated after one of her security guards allegedly opened fire, reportedly injuring a Trinamool worker.
Later, bricks were also pelted on Ghosh's convoy near Keshpur, injuring one of her security personnel.
Earlier in the day, Ghosh was also stopped from entering a polling station by a group of women for attempting to influence voters.
In another incident, bombs were allegedly hurled targeting her convoy in Jhetla area.
Sporadic incidents of violence were also reported from the Midnapore constituency where the saffron party's state unit chief Dilip Ghosh and his party workers were allagedly attacked by TMC 'goons' as they tried to enter a polling booth in West Medinipur's Rampura village.
He further alleged that TMC workers were stopping people from casting their votes in the booth.
At least four TMC workers had to be hospitalised after being attacked with sharp weapons allegedly by BJP supporters.
Datan area of Midnapore also reported violence between TMC and BJP workers.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission ordered the presiding officer of Keshpur booth falling under the Ghatal constituency to lodge an FIR against BJP's Ghatal candidate Bharati Ghosh for flouting the poll code by bringing her personal security guard within 100 meters distance of the booth.
The Election Commission has also sought a report from Bengal Chief Electoral Officer on poll-related violence in the Keshpur area.
The subsequent phases of polling in the state will take place on May 19. Polling in 33 out of the 42 Lok Sabha constituencies in West Bengal has been completed in the first six phases.
The votes will be counted on May 23.
