More than 80 per cent of voters on Monday cast their votes in the bypoll for the politically sensitive Nandigram [Images] assembly seat, which passed off peacefully, barring stray incidents.
 
"Though the exact figure is yet not available, the turnout was over 80 per cent. The election was peaceful except for stray incidents," Midnapore District Magistrate Choten Dhendhup Lama told PTI.
 
He said the incidents led to the arrest of nine persons, but one was later released. Two persons were injured during some violent incidents.
 
"The election was entirely peacefully," Commandant of 94 battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force Ajoy Mishra said.
 
Communist Party of India candidate Paramananda Bharati alleged that party supporters were beaten up in Reyapara and Sonachura and four had to be hospitalised.
 
Trinamool Congress leader and MLA from Contai (South) Subhendu Adhikari claimed that the Communist Party of India � Marxist tried unsuccessfully to create trouble in the area injuring four supporters.
 
"We have received a complaint and sent forces to the area," Deputy Inspector General (Midnapore Range) Pravin Kumar said.
 
Unprecedented security arrangements had been made for the bypoll with 15,000 central forces deployed to man the 176 booths.
 
The bypoll scheduled on December 30 was postponed due to security considerations and will decide the fate of six contestants.
 
It was necessitated by the resignation of CPI Member of Legislative Assembly Muhammad Ilyas, following a sting operation which exposed his involvement in corruption.