AMN /
Over 78 per cent polling has been recorded in the fourth phase of Assembly elections in West Bengal. The polling was held in 49 Assembly constituencies today. In 2011 assembly elections, 83.81 percent voter turnout was registered in these constituencies.
Briefing media in New Delhi, Deputy Election Commissioner Sandeep Saxena said, this phase of assembly election was by and large peaceful. He said, some clashes were reported and FIRs have also been lodged against culprits in these cases.
Meanwhile, the State Additional CEO, Dibyendu Sarkar informed that two presiding officers and one polling officer were changed today under various charges. Departmental proceedings have been initiated against them.
Activists of the ruling party allegedly attacked CPI-M candidate from Uttar Dum Dum, Tanmay Bhattachrjee. Acting upon his complaint the Police filed an attempt to murder case and arrested four persons.
CPI-M state secretary, Surjya Kanta Mishra said, the ruling party attacked not only the Left and other opposition workers but even the candidates, teachers and children during the polling today.
Addressing election meetings in Kolkata Dakshin, TMC leader and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee this evening alleged that desperation and cowardice of the BJP, CPI-M and Congress was reflected in terror tactics of the Central forces perpetrated on the people during the voting today.
During the stray violence, CRPF personnel deployed for poll duty had to resort to lathi-charge on unruly crowd at Jelepara under Minakha constituency and at Dakhsindari in Bidhan Nagar constituency to disperse the mobs of political supporters who were allegedly attempting to rig the polls in the late afternoon hours. At Dakshindari light brick-batting was made on the Central force vehicle before the Jawans swung into action.
TMC candidate from Rajarhat-Gopalpur, Purnendu Basu forced-out Central force personnel from a booth at Baguhati alleging that they were imposing too many restrictions while his party colleague, Vaishali Dalmiya, candidate from Bally in Howrah also entered in an altercation with CRPF Jawans.
Earlier in the day, following reports of abetting rigging for TMC, the Election Commission removed the presiding officer of the Jujhurgachha booth in Minakha. A CPI-M local leader’s home was attacked at Halishahar and ransacked. At Bijpur, some Left supporters’ houses were ransacked and inmates beaten. A three-and half-year-old child was among the injured. Crude bombs were exploded here outside a booth to scare away the voters. The Commission has sought report from the State CEO on the Bijpur incident.
At Kamarahati in Uttar 24 Parganas, a TMC district leader from Birbhum allegedly led his party workers in terrorizing the voters and attacking opposition activists. CPI-M complained to the Commission about his activities. Three voters including a lady sustained injuries in beating by a group of opponent activists. Police sources from 24-Parganas said, about 250 trouble-makers were arrested from various places in the district. Reports of attacks and voters’ intimidation were also received from Bagnan, Amta, Sankrail and Bally in Howrah district .