Kolkata: Re-polling for West Bengal's panchayat elections began on Tuesday in 21 booths across five districts, two days after rigging marred the exercise in several places including the troubled Nandigram region.

Voting in the first phase of the three-phase panchayat polls was held on Sunday in five districts - Purulia, West and East Midnapore, Bardhaman and Bankura.

"We received complaints of rigging from 20 booths across the districts," said West Bengal Election Commission secretary Sudhindra Nath Roy Chowdhury. "One booth at Nandigram in East Midnapore reported that the ballot paper was spoiled by water.

"So re-polling is being done on Tuesday at six booths in Bardhaman, three in Bankura, four at Nandigram in East Midnapore, seven in West Midnapore and one in Purulia."

According to state election commission sources, turnout in Bardhaman was 84 percent, Bankura 85.5 percent, Purulia 84 percent, West Midnapore 90 percent and East Midnapore 90 percent. About 90 percent votes were cast at Nandigram in East Midnapore.

The next round of panchayat elections are scheduled May 14 and 18. Counting would be taken up on May 21.

Source : IANS