Clashes, allegations of EVM faults reported as voting begins in West Bengal final phase

Violence and vandalism were reported from parts of West Bengal on Thursday shortly after voting began in the final phase of Assembly elections, with incidents of clashes, allegations of EVM malfunction and delays in polling at several booths.

In Hooghly, voters alleged glitches in electronic voting machines (EVMs) and delays in the start of polling. In one case in Baranagar’s Ward No. 72, voting was reportedly halted after an EVM malfunction, prompting anger among waiting voters.

“Machine is not working. Voting was to start at 7 am, it is 9:30 am now,” a voter told reporters outside the polling booth. Locals further alleged that the machine was replaced multiple times but polling did not commence.

In another incident, supporters of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Indian Secular Front reportedly clashed at Booth No. 147 in Ramchandrapur under Rajhati-1 Panchayat in Khanakul area of Hooghly district following tensions over alleged irregularities.

Security personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) reportedly detained two individuals in Bally after a separate clash broke out in connection with similar allegations, officials said.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused central forces deployed for election duty of acting “as per BJP’s directions” and alleged assault on a Trinamool worker, raising concerns over the fairness of the process.

Banerjee is among 1,448 candidates contesting across 142 constituencies in the final phase of polling. She is locked in a high-profile contest in Bhabanipur against BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari.

BJP is seeking to improve on its performance from the 2021 Assembly elections, when it won 77 seats.