Monday, April 17 2006 09:54 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kolkata: Amidst a poll boycott call by the Maoists and massive security arrangements, the first phase of Assembly elections in 45 seats in three Maoist-affected districts West Midnapore, Purulia and Bankura began at 7 AM today to decide the fate of 227 candidates.

The 45 constituencies comprise 21 in West Midmapore, 11 in Purulia and 13 in Bankura districts.

The Chief Electoral Officer, Debasish Sen, said two helicopters would conduct aerial surveillance during polling over the Maoist-hit areas bordering Jharkhand and Bihar.

A total of 7,700 polling booths have been set up in the three districts to enable 32 lakh electorate to exercise their franchise.

"Altogether 3000 digital cameras were installed in nearly 40 per cent booths in the three districts to detect cases of impersonation, keep a record of those without identity cards and also prevent false voting," Sen said.

"Eighty-two general observers and 10 expenses observers were deployed for the 45 constituencies in the first phase," he said.

The Left Front has fielded 43 candidates in the three districts while the CPI(M) alone has put up 35 nominees.

Trinamool Congress has put up 39 candidates leaving four to its electoral ally BJP.

The Congress which is fighting the poll in alliance with the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and Party for Democratic Socialism, has fielded 36 nominees giving six seats to JMM and two to PDS.