The elections for 57 constituencies in three districts of West Bengal in the fourth phase began at 7:00 am on Wednesday amid tight security.
Coverage: Assembly Elections 2006
Of the 57 seats, 19 are in Murshidabad, 26 in Burdwan and 12 in Birbhum district. Altogether 288 aspirants are contesting in the fourth phase, including Industry Minister Nirupam Sen and Power Minister Mrinal Banerjee.
Like the previous three rounds, tight security arrangements have been made for the fourth phase as well. Central para-military forces have been deployed in polling booths, Election Commission sources said.
Vigil has been intensified along West Bengal's border with Jharkhand and Bangladesh to prevent the entry of undesirable elements, Commission sources said. The Border Security Force has been instructed to intensify patrolling along the Indo-Bangla border in Murshidabad district.
More than 435 companies of central para-military forces have been deployed in this phase.
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