Amid the last phase of Lok Sabha elections, EVM and VVPAT machine were reportedly thrown in water by a mob at booth number 40, 41 in Kultai, South 24 Parganas in West Bengal. However, the Election Commission said that they were reserve machines.

In a post on X, CEO West Bengal said, “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.”

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It added, “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.”

Violence broke out at several locations in West Bengal. The poll body said that until 9 am, political parties filed approximately 715 complaints alleging that voting machines (EVMs) malfunctioned, poll agents were prevented from entering polling booths, and voters in various constituencies were intimidated or prevented from casting their ballots.

Meanwhile, supporters of the Indian Secular Front (ISF) and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) clashed at Bhangar in the Jadavpur constituency, The Indian Express reported. Crude bombs at hurled at each other and police resorted to lathi charge to disperse the mob. Some homemade bombs were found in the vicinity. An action-taken report on this occurrence has been requested by the EC.

A second clash occurred later between TMC and ISF workers in the Phulbari district of Bhangar.

Three voters in the South 24 Parganas district of Canning, however, were injured in the head while casting their ballots. The voters said that TMC employees had attacked them.

Fake voting, threats

Meanwhile, CPI-M candidate Pratik ur Rahman allegedly captured agents and phoney voters at polling places in the Diamond Harbour seat, while following threats and physical assault by TMC workers, CPIM candidate Sujan Chakraborty assisted his party agent in using a polling booth in the Dum Dum constituency.

TMC members protested against BJP candidate Tapas Roy in the Cossipore, Kolkata Uttar constituency, after he visited a few polling places. There were also slogans of “go back” directed at him.

BJP claimed that TMC employees and cops intimidated its polling agents on Friday night in the Sandeshkhali neighbourhood of Bermajur after going to their residences. The party shared video footage showing how the women of Sandeshkhali have once again objected to the TMC government’s attempt to instill fear in the populace in advance of the final round of elections.

Amit Malviya, the head of the BJP’s IT cell, said in a post on X, “The brave women of #Sandeshkhali have chased away corrupt and compromised West Bengal Police. Our women leaders are speaking to them and each one of them will vote against the tyranny of Mamata Banerjee. This is a fight like none other and will be taken to logical conclusion.”

Polling in West Bengal

Polling in West Bengal is being held across nine seats today, amid tight security arrangements. Voting will continue till 6 pm in Dum Dum, Barasat, Basirhat, Jaynagar, Mathurapur, Diamond Harbour, Jadavpur, Kolkata Dakshin and Kolkata Uttar seats.

There are 17,470 polling places where a total of 1.63 crore voters—83.19 lakh males, 80.20 lakh women, and 538 members of the third gender—can exercise their right to vote.

The ECI has deployed 967 companies of central troops and over 33,000 state police officers for the final phase. In addition, 246 companies of central forces and 11,000 state police officers will be stationed in Kolkata.