West Bengal polling day clashes

The election in West Bengal is being viewed as a critical test for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling party in a region where it currently does not govern.

Opposition leaders have accused the state government of orchestrating a campaign of violence to suppress voters, particularly after millions of names were reportedly struck from the electoral rolls.

In Asansol, the car of a BJP candidate was vandalized in a stone-pelting incident, leading to a formal complaint with the Election Commission.

Despite the sporadic violence and technical issues with electronic voting machines, polling has continued under a heavy security presence.