Saturday, September 16 2006 12:43 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kolkata: Amidst tight security, the polling for the by-election to Malda, Purulia and Katwa Lok Sabha constituencies and Bongaon assembly seat in West Bengal began this morning (Sept 16.2006).

In all 15 candidates -two in Katwa, five in Malda and eight in Purulia are in the fray, while there are five contestants in the Bongaon assembly constituency.

By-election to Malda and Katwa have been caused due to the deaths of veteran Congress leader A B A Ghani Khan Chowdhury and Mehboob Jahedi of CPI-M respectively.

All India Forward Bloc MP Bir Singh Mahato resignation following his conviction in a rape case necessiated the bypolls in Purulia.

Trinamool Congress MLA Bhupen Seth's death necessiated the by-election in the Bongaon assembly seat.

About 70 companies of para-military forces besides armed police, Rapid Action Force, EFR and District Armed Police have been deployed for the bypolls, Chief Electoral Officer Debasish Sen said.

Altogether 5,000 police personnel are on duty in 250 'super sensitive' booths in Bandwan, Jhalda, Jeypore, Boro and the Kotshila assembly segments.

Eleven Election Commission observers have been deputed to oversee the by-elections.

West Bengal's border with Jharkhand has been sealed and nine checkposts have been set up in view of the by-elections, official sources said.