Fifth-phase polls in West Bengal today, 26 seats to be contested

KOLKATA: Twenty six Assembly seats in the three Maoist-infested districts of West Bengal -- Purulia , West Midnapore and Bankura -- will go to polls on Saturday.

In the fifth round of the six-phase elections in the state, the voting will be held in 38 constituencies, including 12 constituencies in Burdwan district.

Around 600 companies of paramilitary forces have been deployed to ensure free and fair polls in Maoist-infested Jangalmahal. As many as 9,245 polling stations have been set up to enable 74.17 lakh voters to exercise their franchise .

Maharashtra chief electoral officer has been appointed as special observer for the last two rounds of polls on May 7 and 10.