During the final phase of the Lok Sabha election on Saturday, a local mob looted Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and threw two VVPAT machines into a pond in South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, as reported by officials.
The Chief Electoral Office of West Bengal confirmed that an FIR has been lodged by the Sector Officer and necessary action has been initiated.
CEO West Bengal posted, “Today morning at 6.40 am Reserve EVMs and 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.”
Fresh EVMs and papers were provided subsequently. BJP leader Amit Malviya criticized the incident, stating that democracy is under threat in West Bengal, citing instances of violence and disruption.
Voting began in nine seats in 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, exit polls will be aired, as the Election Commission has imposed a ban on exit polls from April 19 to June 1.
The earlier six phases of Lok Sabha elections were held on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, and May 25. Assembly polls have also taken place in Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh, with Odisha witnessing simultaneous polls to Lok Sabha and assembly in the last four phases.
