More than 90 Per Cent Turnout Recorded in Second Phase Polling amidst Stray Incidents of Violence and Vandalism

Manas Dasgupta

NEW DELHI, Apr 29: Voting was stopped in a few booths in Falta constituency in South 24 Parganas district in West Bengal following complaints by the BJP of alleged tampering of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in these booths, as the brisk turnout of voters helped recording about 90 per cent voting with just few more minutes to go before the end of polling in the 142 constituencies in the second and final phase of elections to the State Assembly on Wednesday.

As per the Election Commission of India (ECI) estimated data, polling was 89.99 per cent around the scheduled time of closure at 5 PM. The ECI is yet to announce a decision on the BJP complaints in Falta falling under the Diamond Harbour Parliamentary constituency represented by the Trinamool Congress second-in-command Abhishek Banerjee, the nephew of the West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, but is likely to order a re-poll in the booths where the EVMs were found taped on the BJP buttons.

Some booths in Bengal’s Howrah and Baranagar saw chaos as voters alleged that the poll process began very late. The timing of the voting to begin was 7 am this morning. Angry voters claimed that there were “failed” attempts of voting due to a glitch with the EVMs.

Ms Banerjee after casting her vote in her Bhabanipur constituency said she had “never seen this type of democracy”, as she claimed that no state police was allowed at any booth and the CRPF has “captured” it all. “The Central forces are beating up people, not sparing even women and children,” she said.

“So many incidents of lathi-charge have been reported and many workers of the Trinamool Congress have been detained in violation of court orders,” Banerjee said. Lathi-charge has taken place outside one of the polling stations in Bhabanipur and the Chief Minister’s remarks came when asked about the matter.

All the booths have been ‘captured’ by the central forces. Is this their (central forces’) duty?” she questioned. “None of the booths are safe… The CRPF cannot torture like this,” Banerjee added, pointing out that no state police personnel have been posted at the booth. “Since last night, they have started atrocities. How many of our people have they taken into custody? This is contempt of court. I have never seen such democracy. We will win, Trinamool is winning,” she added.

Violence and vandalism reportedly took place in parts of West Bengal shortly after voting for the final phase of Assembly elections began this morning. Claims of an EVM glitch and failed and delayed voting were made in Hooghly and the CRPF personnel reportedly detained two people in Bally after a clash erupted over similar allegations.

A large number of central security forces including the terror investigating agency the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has been deployed for the first time during these elections to respond to any serious incidents of violence or security threats.

A bomb scare was reported at a polling booth in Purba Bardhaman, prompting the deployment of teams from the Criminal Investigation Department and the NIA to the spot.

Ms Banerjee alleged that the central forces were working “as per the BJP’s directions.” Flashing a clip towards the media, Banerjee claimed that a Trinamool worker was beaten up and questioned if this is how voting should take place. Mamata Banerjee is among the 1,448 candidates in fray across 142 constituencies that are seeing voting in the final phase today. She is tied in an intense fight with the BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition in the outgoing Assembly, on the Bhabanipur seat.

The BJP media in-charge Amit Malviya who levelled the allegation of the EVMs being taped in some election booths in Falta has demanded re-polling in these booths. The ECI has threatened that if the irregularity was found to be on a large scale it might even order re-polling in the entire constituency.

The BJP has alleged that its button on the EVMs had been taped in several polling booths in Falta. Denying the charge, the Trinamool claimed the BJP was raising a false alarm since it was losing in Bengal. It also slammed the Election Commission and police observer Ajay Pal Sharma, the IPS officer known as “Singham” who the party had earlier accused of threatening their candidate Jehangir Khan. EC sources had said that if such reports come in, it would be verified and if found true, the booths would go for re-polling.

Hitting back, Trinamool spokesperson Riju Dutta said Malviya must complain to his bosses and take up the issue with the Election Commission rather than making online posts. “The entire thing is under the purview of the Election Commission. What are they doing? Rather than tweeting, Amit Malviya should complain to his bosses to immediately sack (Chief Election Commissioner) Gyanesh Kumar. (Police observer) Ajay Pal Sharma should also be suspended because they have not been able to deliver what BJP wanted. What are we supposed to do if there is EVM tampering? It is not under our purview. We are not doing it. What is the EC doing?” Dutta asked.

BJP candidates in Sonarpur Dakshin and Panihati also said there were some issues with the EVM buttons or machine at the booths. Later, BJP leader Amit Malviya shared a clip, alleging attempts to cover the button to vote for the BJP with tape.

The mother of the RG Kar rape-murder victim has been fielded as a BJP candidate in Panihati. On Wednesday, she alleged being attacked by Trinamool workers. “TMC workers intensely targeted me earlier today. They sent goons who attacked me while shouting ‘go back’ slogans,” she said.