A total of 152 assembly constituencies will go to the polls today in West Bengal under the first phase of Assembly election covering 16 districts, reports newsonair.gov.in.

Voting will take place in 44 thousand 376 polling stations including two thousand 958 auxiliary booths.

The Election Commission has made all preparations for a peaceful voting. Total two thousand 407 Central Armed Police Forces have been deployed in the first phase.

Webcasting will be done in all the polling stations. Commission has stressed that booth jamming, source jamming will not be tolerated and all the miscreants will be severely punished.

As a precautionary measure, suspected persons have been detained and surveillance has been tightened in border areas. Quick Response Team QRTs has also been deployed.

Basic amenities and voter assistance will be provided at all the polling stations. Drinking water, waiting area with shade, toilet, and sitting arrangements will be in place in all the polling stations.

Mobile phone deposit facility for voters will be provided outside the entrance of the polling station. Voter Assistance Booths have been set up at every polling station location to assist electors in locating their polling booth number and serial number in the electoral roll.

Main political parties contesting this time, include  Trinamool Congress, officially known as the All India Trinamool Congress, which has been in power in West Bengal for the past 15 years, The Bharatiya Janata Party, Indian National Congress, CPI-M, Indian Secular Front, AIMIM and  AJUP, reported NDTV.

West Bengal will have a two-phase poll on April 23 and 29. Counting is scheduled for May 4.