24 Deaths, Booths Loot, Threatening Voters Reported In West Bengal Elections
The panchayat polls have begun in West Bengal amidst heavy security, but the death toll has risen to 24 as violence continues amid the elections.
Three people were allegedly killed in different districts, and one person was killed in a crude bomb blast. The state has been witnessing incidents of violence since the poll dates were announced.
The polling is expected to continue until 5pm, with around 50.67 million voters eligible to vote for representatives across various seats.
However, there have been reports of booth sabotage and looting, with some areas lacking sufficient security personnel.
The state election commission had requested 822 companies of central forces, but only 600 have arrived so far.
The Calcutta high court has ordered that central forces remain in the state for at least ten days after the poll results to prevent post-poll violence.
The panchayat polls are seen as a crucial test for political parties ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Public and BJP workers accused the Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers of threatening voters, and several sensitive booths were left unguarded.
Violence has disrupted the West Bengal panchayat elections, with reports of TMC workers controlling and directing voters from voting in several polling booths, including Barasat.
The elections are being held amid tight security, with 2.06 lakh candidates vying for 73,887 seats in the three-tier panchayat system. Approximately 5.67 crore people in rural areas are eligible to vote.
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At least 600 companies of central forces and 70,000 state police have been deployed for the elections, which began at 7 AM. Prior to the elections, there were several incidents of violence in the state, resulting in the deaths of at least 15 people.
