Elections to three Lok Sabha constituencies — Darjeeling, Raiganj and Balurghat — in the second phase on Friday passed peacefully apart from some minor incidents. Till 5pm, 71.84 per cent voter turnout was recorded in these three constituencies. The Telegraph lists some of these incidents.
Complaint: Violence
Where: Booth number 100 of Tapan Assembly segment of Balurghat Lok Sabha Constituency.
Incident: Trinamool workers assaulted a BJP booth agent. They also shouted slogans and allegedly abused the BJP candidate;
Allegation: When Sukanta Majumder, the BJP candidate reached the booth, a group of TMC activists shouted “Go Back” slogans and allegedly abused him. This irked Majumdar and he gave them a chase. Later, Majumdar filed a complaint with the Election Commission and soon, a police team reached there. The Trinamool workers were asked to disperse and Majumdar too, left the spot.
Officialspeak: There had been some misunderstanding but the issue was resolved as soon as the authorities intervened. A report would be sent to the election commission.
Complaint: Violation of election norms
Where: Booth No. 176 and 177 of Chopra Assembly segment in Darjeeling Lok Sabha Constituency.
Incident: Trinamool activities assembled in large numbers within 100 metres of two booths. The central force jawans chased them away as soon as the BJP lodged complaints.
Allegation: The BJP alleged that the Trinamul activists had gathered to intimidate voters. The Trinamul denied the charges.
Officialspeak: Police were informed about the complaint but before police could reach the area, the central force jawans dispersed the mob.
Complaint: False voting
Where: Booth number 25 in Matigara-Naxalbari Assembly segment of Darjeeling Lok Sabha Constituency.
Incident: Puspa Sharma, a resident of Ho Chi Min Nagar of Bagdogra, lodged a complaint saying someone else had cast her vote. She was informed about it when she went to cast her vote at the booth.
Allegation: The BJP alleged that the Trinamul had resorted to proxy voting in the area.
Officialspeak: The complaint is being looked into.
Complaint: EVM malfunctioned
Where: Booth 131 of Raiganj Assembly segment in Raiganj Lok Sabha Constituency.
Incident: As the EVM was found malfunctioning, polling started two hours after the stipulated time to commence the polling which is 7am.
Officialspeak: Necessary steps were taken as soon as complaints were received.
Complaint: Violation of election norms
Where: Booth No. 117 in Islampur Assembly segment in Raiganj Lok Sabha Constituency.
Incident: TMC workers were allegedly influencing voters within a 100-meter radius of the booth.
Allegation: Kamalesh Gupta, a BJP leader, alleged that a group of TMC workers led by a former councillor of the party, had reached within the 100-metre radius of the booth and were influencing voters who were standing in the queue. The Trinamool denied the charge.
Officialspeak: Nothing major happened. Polling was peaceful in the booth;
Complaint: Names deleted from electoral roll.
Where: Booth No. 93 in Harirampur Assembly segment of Balurghat Lok Sabha seat
Incident: A group of voters couldn’t vote as their names were not on the list
Allegation: Names of 39 voters of the booth have been deleted without any reason
Officialspeak: A complaint was lodged and the matter is being looked into.