New Delhi, July 10 : West Bengal is currently witnessing re-polling in 697 booths across five districts on Monday, as a response to the violence that occurred during the panchayat polls in the state on July 8.
The State Election Commission (SEC) announced that re-polling would take place in the districts of Purulia, Birbhum, Jalpaiguri, Nadia, and South 24 Parganas. In an official release, the SEC stated that the fresh polls would be conducted uninterruptedly from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., in accordance with the powers conferred upon it by relevant sections of the law.
The initial Panchayat polls were held on July 8. However, allegations of ballot rigging and violence marred the process, leading to calls for re-polling. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Khagen Murmu accused presiding officers and election staff of engaging in proxy voting in favor of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and called for re-polling. BJP state general secretary Jagannath Chattopadhyay also wrote to the State Election Commission demanding the same.
The violent Panchayat polls resulted in the loss of 10 lives and numerous injuries across the state. Incidents of violence, ballot paper looting, rigging, booth capturing, damage to ballot boxes, and assault on presiding officers were reported from various districts, including Murshidabad, Cooch Behar, Malda, South 24 Parganas, North Dinajpur, and Nadia.
