Due to apprehensions of widespread violence, the elections in West Bengal has been spread over seven phases, so that maximum security forces can be deployed for voting. But that seems to have no effect as several reports of violence has emerged from the state during the second phase of voting today.
Chopra in Darjeeling constituency has witnessed widespread violence, where miscreants tried to prevent voters from casting their votes. Locals came out in protest of this and blocked the highway, and security forces had to lob tear gas shells and do lathi charge on the people to disperse them. Later the locals were allowed to vote under the protection of security forces, according to election officials.
After that, fights broke out between workers of TMC and BJP workers inside Dighirpar polling booth in Chopra. During this clash, an Electronic Voting Machine was smashed in the process.
#LokSabhaElections2019 | Watch: #BJP and #TMC workers clashed inside a polling booth and broke the #EVM machine in #Chopra, #Darjeeling. Follow #LIVE updates here: https://t.co/qFpGcwZBJM pic.twitter.com/k7W5EoqJq1
— Firstpost (@firstpost) April 18, 2019
Footage from the scene shows that the entire polling booth was vandalised, and EVM, including the VVPAT machine and balloting unit was lying on the ground. The Polling has been stopped at the booth number 112 in Chopra after this incident.
#LokSabhaElections2019
বাগডোগরায় ইভিএমে বিজেপির প্রতীকে কালো সেলোটেপ মেরে দেওয়ার অভিযোগ, আধঘণ্টা বন্ধ ভোটগ্রহণhttps://t.co/DgJkM4JE6K pic.twitter.com/aPYtbhh9od— ABP Ananda (@abpanandatv) April 18, 2019
In another incident in Darjeeling constituency, an incident of EVM rigging was reported. In a poll booth in Bagdogra, a piece of black tape was found to be affixed on the BJP symbol candidate name on the EVM, in an apparent attempt to prevent people from voting for BJP. Voting was stopped in the booth for half an hour in the booth after this discovery. Polling was resumed in the booth after the tape was removed and the EVM was checked by officials.
