Bengal Elections 2021: Election Commission denies claims of violence at voting centers in Nandigram

In a report submitted by General Observer Hemen Das, EC denied the claims of disruption at Nandigram’s polling center.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday, April 1, sought a detailed report of the sporadic violence that erupted amid heavy voting in West Bengal’s Nandigram constituency. In a response to the grievances highlighted by the West Bengal CM and TMC candidate Mamata Banerjee, the EC asked General Observer Hemen Das and Police Observer Ashutosh Roy to overlook the polling station number 7, reported ANI.

“Media has covered the incident of alleged gherao of West Bengal CM & crowding at polling station no 7 at Nandigram seat today that inter alia resulted in disruption of poll process. General Observer Hemen Das & Police Observer Ashutosh Roy were asked to go to spot,” Election Commission (EC) said in its response to Ms Banerjee’s letter.

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Detailing the report submitted by General Observer Hemen Das, EC denied the claims of disruption at the polling center in Boyal Moktab Primary School polling station (in Nandigram) at 4:06 pm.

“In his report at 4.06 pm today from Boyal Moktab Primary School polling station (in Nandigram), General Observer Hemen Das reported that ‘polling was not disrupted at any moment’” Election Commission of India said in a statement.

The recent report was sought after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited several booths across the high-profile Nandigram constituency, where she is pitted against her former lieutenant Suvendu Adhikari of the BJP.

In its report, the EC also added that a separate handwritten complaint was received from West Bengal CM via CEO West Bengal today in the late afternoon.

The recent ANI report quoted the Election Commission and mentioned that the TMC supremo’s letter has been forwarded to Special General Observer Ajay Nayak & Special Police Observer Vivek Dube. In addition, it has also sought a detailed report about the recent showdown by 6 pm on Friday.

“A separate handwritten complaint was received from West Bengal CM via CEO, West Bengal today in the late afternoon. The same has been forwarded to Special General Observer Ajay Nayak & Special Police Observer Vivek Dube. They have been asked to send a report by tomorrow 6 pm,” the Election Commission of India concluded in its report on Thursday.

Post Mamata Banerjee’s visit at the booths in the Nandigram constituency, several Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters reportedly started chanting ”Jai Shri Ram” slogans.

The heavy voting was followed by sporadic violence and minor clashes which led to the violence between supporters of the two parties, and TMC leaders demanded re-polling in booth number 7, police said. Meanwhile, Central forces tried to restore law and peace in the area.