Sporadic incidents of violence occurred as around 20 per cent electorate cast their vote in the initial hours during polling in 31 Assembly seats in West Bengal today. The turnout in seats spread over three districts of West Midnapore, Bankura and Burdwan districts in the second part of the first phase was was 19.95 per cent till 9 am, election officials said.

Voting began at 7 am with a large number of people turning up to avoid the scorching sun as day time temperatures are crossing 40 degree Celsius. Five-time CPI-M MLA from Narayangarh and Leader of Opposition Surjya Kanta Mishra was among the early voters. Two bags containing bombs were found near booth number 35 in Jamuria by the police.