Sporadic violence mars final phase of West Bengal elections | News from Kolkata

Voting took place under tight security in nine constituencies in West Bengal: Dum Dum (67.60%), Barasat (71.80%), Basirhat (76.56%), Jaynagar (73.44%), Mathurapur (74.13%), Diamond Harbour (72.87%), Jadavpur (70.41%), Kolkata Dakshin (60.88%) and Kolkata Uttar (59.23%).

“By 5 p.m., an average of 69.89 percent of the votes were cast. The electoral process was not disrupted. However, there were a few isolated incidents during the election, which were dealt with by the commission,” said an Election Commission official.

A by-election for the Dum Dum Lok Sabha seat is also being held in Baranagar constituency. About 66.70% of the votes have been cast in this legislative session till 5 pm.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee exercised her franchise at Mitra Institute around 4 pm. After casting her vote, Banerjee showed the victory sign. She was also seen interacting with the voters standing in the queue.

TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee also went to Mitra Institution in Kolkata Dakshin constituency in the morning to cast his vote.

“People in all nine constituencies are voting in a festive mood. The weather has also improved and it is not so hot anymore. This will enable people to go in large numbers and exercise their franchise. I hope they give a befitting reply to the central government for depriving Bengal of financial resources for the last five years. This will be reflected in today’s vote,” he said after coming out of the polling booth.

In Jadavpur, crude bombs were thrown during clashes between party workers. The Election Commission has sought a report on the action taken in the incident.

At polling stations 40 and 41 in Kultali in South 24 Parganas district, an EVM and a VVPAT machine were thrown into a pond. The Election Commission, however, said these were spare machines.

“The electoral process was not tampered with. The voting machines kept in reserve were thrown into the water. We have asked the returning officer for a report,” said a senior EC official.

In Sandeshkhali, women protesters blocked the Basanti highway, alleging police atrocities during the elections. The unrest began in Goyarmari village late in the afternoon when a TMC worker was injured in a clash with BJP workers. He sustained head injuries.

Following the incident, police arrested five villagers, which led to a protest rally led by women. The protesters and BJP workers used batons and pelted stones at the police. The police also had to use tear gas shells to disperse the protesters.

Banirupa Sana (60), one of the protesting women, said: “We have been threatened by TMC goons since last night and now the police are behaving like thugs.” Her husband and son were arrested by the police.