India, April 23 -- Polling was underway in the first phase of the West Bengal assembly elections amid tight security across 152 assembly constituencies and 16 districts, with a turnout of 18.76% until 9am. West Midnapore recorded the highest turnout of 20.51%, and Malda the lowest (16.96%).

Over 36 million electors are eligible to vote for 1,478 candidates, including 167 female candidates, in the first phase. The polling began hours after political clashes were reported in Domkal and Nowda (Murshidabad) and Sitalkuchi (Cooch Behar) late on Wednesday night. Four people were injured in a clash between ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Communist Party of India (Marxist) supporters in Domkal. Crude bombs were hurled in Nowda. At Sitalkuchi...