LS Polls: Mob loots EVM, throws VVPAT machine in pond in Bengal

South 24 Parganas (West Bengal): Amid the seventh and the last phase of the Lok Sabha election which began at 7 am on Saturday, Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) were looted by local mob and two VVPAT machines have been thrown inside a pond in South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, officials said.

According to the Chief Electoral Office, West Bengal, an FIR has been lodged by the Sector Officer and necessary action has been initiated.

“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,” CEO West Bengal posted on X.

The CEO further informed that fresh EVM and papers have been provided to the Sector Officer.

“Sector Police was a little behind. FIR has been lodged by the Sector Officer and necessary action has been initiated. The poll process in all six booths under the Sector is running uninterrupted. Fresh EVM and papers have been provided to the Sector Officer,” the CEO added.

BJP leader Amit Malviya criticised the incident and said that the democracy is up in flames in West Bengal.

“Democracy is up in flames in West Bengal. Bombs have been hurled in Jadavpur’s Bhangar, irate villagers in Joynagar’s Kulti have thrown an EVM and VVPAT machine in a pond because TMC goons won’t let them vote,” he posted on X.

Malviya further said that Diamond Harbour, where Mamata Banerjee’s nephew and heir apparent is contesting is the most affected constituency.

“But the worst affected is Diamond Harbour, where Mamata Banerjee’s nephew and heir apparent is contesting from. BJP workers are being intimidated, not allowed to sit in the booths, their polling documents Ana ched and destroyed… WB Police is acting like Abhishek Banerjee’s henchmen. Even the Muslims have not been spared because a large number of them are voting for CPI(M) candidate Pratikur Rahman. TMC’s ‘secularism’ dies the moment Muslims start voting against it,” he wrote on X.

Voting began at 7 am in West Bengal’s nine seats including– Barasat, Basirhat, Diamond Harbour, Dum Dum, Jaynagar, Jadavpur, Kolkata Dakshin, Kolkata Uttar, and Mathurapur.

After the close of voting on June 1, the outcome of exit polls will be aired on various TV channels. The Election Commission has issued a ban on exit polls from 7 am on April 19 to 6:30 pm on June 1, till the conclusion of polling.

Polling for the earlier six phases of Lok Sabha elections was held on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, and May 25. Assembly polls have also been held in Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. Odisha is seeing simultaneous polls to Lok Sabha and assembly in the last four phases.