According to officials, around 78% voter turnout was recorded till 5pm in the eight seats. “About 77.99% average polling has been recorded till 5 pm. Polling has been peaceful with one or two incidents of violence being reported from some constituencies,” said a senior EC official.

At 81.47%, Bishnupur recorded the highest polling percentage, followed by Tamluk (79.79%), Jhargram (79.68%), Ghatal (78.92%), Medinipur (77.57%), Bankura (76.79%), Kanthi (75.66%) and Purulia (74.09%).

Till 4 pm, the election office in West Bengal had received 1,985 complaints, an official said.

In Jhargram’s Garbeta, BJP nominee Pranat Tudu was injured after he was allegedly chased away by a group of villagers. A security personnel who was part of Tudu’s security detail was also injured when stones and bricks were pelted at them. One of the vehicles in the BJP leader’s convoy was also damaged.

Talking to media persons after the incident, Tudu accused the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of “instigating people”.

“The TMC instigated the people to attack my vehicle. I had gone (to Garbeta) after receiving reports of some irregularities (during polling), I was chased away by the villagers. Stones were hurled at us. I have been injured. One of my security personnel is bleeding from his head. I will take this up with the Election Commission of India (ECI),” said Tudu.

Denying the charge, the TMC alleged Tudu and his security personnel had beaten up a woman voter in one of the polling booths in Garbeta.