Lok Sabha Elections 2024 | Bengal Witnesses Violence, Reports Of EVMs thrown In Water

West Bengal witnessed violence in several parts of the state during the seventh and the final phase of the Lok Sabha elections on Saturday.

As per to Election Commission, about 715 complaints were registered by political parties till 9 am. The parties alleged EVM malfunctioning, voters being threatened from casting their votes, and agents not being allowed inside polling booths in various constituencies.

Voting is being conducted in nine seats in West Bengal amid high security. An Assembly by-election is also taking place in Baranagar seat under the Dum Dum Lok Sabha constituency. Around 11% polling was recorded here till 9 am.

Incidentally, a clash broke out between workers of Indian Secular Force (ISF) and TMC in the Jadavpur seat. Reportedly, crude bombs were hurled by supporters on both the parties. When the cops reached, both the parties started blaming each other for the commotion. The police had to resort to lathicharge to disperse the agitated mob. The EC has sought a report on the matter.

VIDEO | Lok Sabha Elections 2024: EVM and VVPAT machine were reportedly thrown in water by a mob at booth number 40, 41 in Kultai, South 24 Parganas, #WestBengal.

(Source: Third Party)#LSPolls2024WithPTI #LokSabhaElections2024 pic.twitter.com/saFiNcG3e4

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 1, 2024

Similarly, in Bhangar's Phulbari area, another clash broke out between supporters of ISF and TMC forcing the law enforcement personnel to use force to disperse the mob.

At booth numbers 40 and 41 in Kultali in South 24 Parganas, an EVM and VVPAT machine were reportedly thrown into the pond. However, the ECI later clarified that they were reserve machines.

"The polling process has not been vitiated. Those which were kept in reserve were thrown in water. We have sought a report from the presiding officer," said a senior EC official.

"Today morning at 6.40 am Reserve EVMs & papers of Sector Officer near Benimadhavpur FP school, at 129-Kultali AC of 19-Jaynagar (SC) PC has been looted by local mob and 1 CU, 1 BU, 2VVPAT machines have been thrown inside a pond," West Bengal CEO posted on X.

"Sector Police was a little behind. FIR has been lodged by Sector Officer and necessary action has been initiated. Poll process in all six booths under the Sector is running uninterrupted. Fresh EVM and papers have been provided to the Sector Officer," it added.

Meanwhile, three voters at Canning in South 24 Parganas alleged that they received head injuries after being attacked by TMC workers.

CPI(M)'s Diamond Harbour candidate, Pratik ur Rahman allegedly apprehended fake agents and voters from polling booths. On the other hand, BJP's Dakshin Kolkata candidate Debasree Chaudhuri chased out 'outsiders' from polling booths.

At Kolkata Uttar's Cossipore constituency, BJP candidate Tapas Roy had to face protests from TMC workers after he paid visits to a few polling booths. He was met with 'go back' slogans.

In West Bengal, a total of 1.62 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise rights at 17,470 polling booths. This includes 83.19 lakh men, 80.20 lakh women, and 538 transgender.