<div><span style="font-size: 1rem;"><b>At least nine people were killed in election-related violence in West Bengal as voting was underway on Saturday for the three-tier panchayat polls in the state, officials said.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Among those killed were five TMC members, and one worker each of the BJP, CPI(M) and Congress, and the supporter of an Independent candidate, they said.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides violent clashes that injured several people, ballot boxes were destroyed in at least two polling booths, they added.</div><div><br></div><div>The polling began at 7 am in 73,887 seats in the rural areas of the state with 5.67 crore people deciding the fate of around 2.06 lakh candidates. Till 9 am, 10.26 per cent voter turnout was recorded.</div><div><br></div><div>Governor CV Ananda Bose visited different areas in North 24 Parganas district, and met people injured in the violence and interacted with voters.</div><div><br></div><div>BJP polling agent Madhab Biswas was allegedly killed in Falimari gram panchayat in Coochbehar district, they said. Source: PTI</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>