West Bengal polls: EVM glitches reported at several booths, voting faces disruptions

Kolkata: Polling in the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections on Thursday was marked by technical disruptions and reports of isolated violence across several districts. Officials said voting was affected at a few locations due to glitches in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), while tensions were reported in certain areas even before polling commenced.

In Murshidabad, polling came to a halt at booth number 156 located in Parsalika Madanmohan Primary School in the Beldanga assembly segment after an EVM developed a fault.

At booth number 212 in the Samsherganj assembly constituency, voting could not begin on schedule due to a similar issue. Officials also reported delays at booth number 130 in Kandi.

In Purba Medinipur, an EVM malfunction was reported from Birulia in the Nandigram assembly constituency.

In Cooch Behar, polling at booth number 229 in Town High School was suspended for nearly an hour before resuming. Voting was also delayed at booth number 231 in the Habibpur constituency of Malda.

In Siliguri in the Darjeeling district, polling at booth number 26/31 in Margaret School did not begin on time because of a faulty EVM.

Violence reported ahead of polling

Meanwhile, incidents of violence were reported from some districts during the night preceding polling day.

In Naoda in Murshidabad, crude bombs were allegedly thrown near Shivnagar Primary School, leaving a woman injured, according to officials. Sahina Mumtaz Khan, who was present nearby, escaped without injury.

Abu Taher Khan alleged that the attack was carried out by members of Amjanata Unnayan Party led by Humayun Kabir.

Police personnel along with central forces were deployed in the area following the incident.

Clashes and tension in other areas

Tension was also reported from Sitalkuchi in Cooch Behar, an area that had witnessed violence during the 2021 Assembly elections.

A leader of the BJP Kisan Morcha was allegedly attacked late at night while returning home. The BJP accused supporters of the Trinamool Congress of carrying out the assault and damaging his motorcycle. The ruling party, however, denied the allegations and described the incident as staged.

Polling details

Polling is currently underway in 152 assembly constituencies spread across 16 districts in this phase. The remaining 142 constituencies are scheduled to vote in the second phase on 29 April. Counting of votes is set to take place on 4 May.

Agency inputs