Amidst the commencement of the seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha elections at 7 am on Saturday, reports surfaced of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) being looted by a local mob and two VVPAT machines being thrown into a pond in South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, officials confirmed.
The Chief Electoral Office of West Bengal stated that an FIR has been filed by the Sector Officer, and immediate actions have been initiated in response to the incident.
“At 6.40 am this morning, Reserve EVMs and papers of the Sector Officer near Benimadhavpur FP school, at 129-Kultali AC of 19-Jaynagar (SC) PC were looted by a local mob, and 1 CU, 1 BU, and 2 VVPAT machines were thrown into a pond,” posted the CEO of West Bengal on social media platform X.
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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.— CEO West Bengal (@CEOWestBengal) June 1, 2024
The CEO assured that the poll process in all six booths under the affected sector is progressing without disruption, with fresh EVMs and papers provided to the Sector Officer. However, there was a slight delay in the arrival of Sector Police.
The incident drew sharp criticism from BJP leader Amit Malviya, who expressed concern over the deteriorating state of democracy in West Bengal. Malviya highlighted instances of violence and voter intimidation, particularly in constituencies like Diamond Harbour, where Mamata Banerjee’s nephew is contesting.
Democracy is up in flames in West Bengal. Bombs have been hurled in Jadavpur’s Bhangar, irate villagers in Joynagar’s Kultali have thrown an EVM and VVPAT machine in a pond because TMC goons won’t let them vote…
But the worse affected is Diamond Harbour, where Mamata Banerjee’s… pic.twitter.com/csCl6ExQlj— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) June 1, 2024
Voting commenced at 7 am in nine constituencies of West Bengal, including Barasat, Basirhat, Diamond Harbour, Dum Dum, Jaynagar, Jadavpur, Kolkata Dakshin, Kolkata Uttar, and Mathurapur.
Following the conclusion of voting on June 1, the exit poll results will be broadcasted on various television channels. The Election Commission has enforced a ban on exit polls from 7 am on April 19 to 6:30 pm on June 1, coinciding with the conclusion of polling.
The Lok Sabha elections have been conducted in seven phases, with assembly polls also held in Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. Odisha witnessed simultaneous polls to both the Lok Sabha and assembly in the last four phases.
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