KOLKATA, April 24 -- Polling for 152 of the 294 seats in the first phase of the West Bengal assembly elections concluded on Thursday amid sporadic incidents of violence, even as the Election Commission of India (ECI) and chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar lauded voters for the "highest-ever turnout" in the state. Police said 41 people have been arrested in connection with the clashes.

Polling in 16 districts began at 7 am amid tight security to decide the electoral fate of 1,478 candidates.

According to updated ECI figures, the voter turnout stood at 92.35%. "This is the highest-ever percentage in West Bengal since Independence," Kumar said.

Later in Kolkata, state CEO Manoj Agarwal told reporters: "We are satisfied with the eff...