The Panchayat polls in Bengal, which had endured violence since the process began after Election Commission had announced notification, began on 7 am today under tight security. Election results will be announced on 17.

This Panchayat polls assume large significance as this is the final major poll before the ultimate clash in the next year. Thrinamool Congress has already won in almost 20,000 seats before the polls itself so the election is being held for the remaining seats only.