Phase 7 Elections: Violence erupts in West Bengal, EVMs thrown into pond

Phase 7 Elections: Sporadic incidents of violence disrupted the seventh and final phase of Lok Sabha polls in nine parliamentary constituencies, with clashes reported between TMC and BJP workers in violence-prone Jadavpur and Diamond Harbour constituencies. Although the Election Commission claimed that polling had been peaceful, it acknowledged receiving 1,450 complaints by 11 am regarding EVM malfunctions and polling agents being prevented from entering booths.

Approximately 28.10% of the over 1.63 crore voters cast their ballots in the first two hours of polling across nine Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal on Saturday, according to an Election Commission official.



Violence erupted in Jadavpur constituency as supporters of the TMC, ISF, and BJP clashed, particularly over allegations of preventing polling agents from accessing booths. In Bhangar, within the Jadavpur constituency, a confrontation between Trinamool Congress and Indian Secular Front (ISF) supporters led to the alleged use of crude bombs by both sides. Police intervened, resorting to a lathi charge to disperse the crowds and recovered several crude bombs from the scene.

In Kultuli, within the Joynagar constituency, frustrated voters threw electronic voting machines (EVMs) and Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VV-PAT) machines into nearby water bodies, protesting against perceived electoral misconduct and voting restrictions.

In Ward 127, BJP candidate Ashok Kandari accused opposition representatives of interfering with the polling process. Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress supporters alleged that the ISF orchestrated the violence to intimidate voters. Local law enforcement responded swiftly with lathi charges and arrested suspects in the Polerhat area of Bhangar.