Bengal’s Fifth Phase of Lok Sabha Polls Largely Peaceful Despite Isolated Incidents

With a few isolated violent occurrences, Bengal's fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections was mainly quiet.

The seven seats that voted on Monday were Barrackpur, Bangaon, Hooghly, Arambagh, Srerampur, Howrah, and Uluberia. The poll panel said that 1,913 complaints and 90 arrests were made from these districts. However, 90% of the concerns could be handled because the authorities responded promptly. Some of the complaints that were made during the day are listed in The Telegraph.

Smack

Where: Howrah, Booth 176

Allegation: The presiding officer was allegedly smacked by a polling agent. When Rathin Chakraborty, the BJP candidate for Howrah, arrived, he lodged a complaint against the poll worker. Voting was briefly halted.

In official language, the commission requested a report on the occurrence from the relevant district election officer.

Strengthening muscles

Where: Srerampur's Bankra

Allegation: According to party members, CPM agents were prohibited from sitting in a number of booths. A complaint was lodged by the CPM with the district government. Dishita Dhar, a CPM candidate, charged Trinamool of abusing force.

Official language: No complaints have yet been received by the poll panel.

Voters were advised

Where: Kanchrapara, Booths 174, 175 & 176

BJP alleges that Trinamool has been intimidating. According to the BJP, Trinamool gunmen threatened voters who went to vote with severe repercussions when they visited their homes.

Official language: A Quick Response Team and central forces were dispatched to the location.

Sexual assault

Where: Jangipara, Booth 195

Claim: A lady made a claim that an ITBP jawan tried to sexually abuse her after breaking into her home. Her husband and other family members came to her aid after hearing her screams, which alerted everyone. The jawan is the subject of a filed police report.

In official language, a case has been filed under Sections 448, 323, and 354B of the IPC, and the individual has been placed under arrest.

False representative

Where: Barrackpore, Booth 215.

Allegation: A person posing as a BJP agent attempted to enter the booth but was ejected by central troops. According to Trinamool, the individual was attempting to sway voters.

Official language: The individual was taken out of the booth by Central forces.

Booth congestion

Where: Bijpur, Barrackpore, Booth 3

Allegation: Upon arriving in Bijpur, BJP candidate Arjun Singh was greeted with black flags and backward slogans by Trinamool members and supporters. Singh was allegedly attempting to cause trouble, according to Trinamool. Election rigging was the accusation made by the BJP against Trinamool workers.

In official language, the DEO has been ordered to provide a report to the commission.

Attack

Where: Bongaon's Gayeshpur

Subir Biswas, a BJP politician, is accused of being physically assaulted by Trinamool workers. BJP employees were hurt as well. To the hospital they were hurried. According to the BJP, Trinamool was using violence to prevent voters from casting their ballots.

In official language, the survey panel has requested a report.

beaten

Where: Amdanga, Barrackpore, Booth 130

Allegation: Voters were prevented from accessing the booth by Trinamool employees. A few BJP employees were assaulted. The injured laborers were transported to the rural hospital in Amdanga.

Official language: A Quick Response Team and an extra police superintendent from Barasat got the situation under control.

Booth photography

Where: Howrah's Sasthitala

Allegation: According to the BJP, Trinamool has taken control of a few booths in the vicinity. The party said that Trinamool cadres attacked their followers, injuring two of them in the head, when their supporters hurried to the scene to stop ruling party workers from seizing booths. Trinamool refuted the allegations.

Official language: The police and CAPF managed to stabilize the situation right away.

orders for SP transfers

Dhritiman Sarkar, the SP for West Midnapore, was ordered to be transferred by the Election Commission on Monday. This occurs just one day after Purulia SP Abhijit Banerjee's transfer was mandated by the EC. Sarkar is an IPS officer from the 2014 batch; the EC directed the state government to move him to a non-election-related role. In addition, the committee asked B.P. Gopalika, chief secretary, to provide a list of three possible successors in a day. The Lok Sabha constituency of Medinipur will vote on May 25.

Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Press Time staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.