Jyoti Basu falls; won't be able to vote

The doctors, who examined Basu, said he has injured his shinbone and is under observation.

This is the first time that Basu won't be able to vote because of his poor health.

His doctors have advised him to stay away from the polling booth.

Though Sports and Transport minister Subhas Chakraborty had appealed to the state chief electoral officer to make special arrangement for the veteran leader, his appeal was rejected.

"A special request was made but the law doesn't have any provision for postal ballot in such cases. A voter who has a problem can come to the booth in ambulance," said chief electoral officer Debashis Sen.