Elections in West Bengal have been mired with violence and rampant rigging. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the first three phases of polling also saw massive violence in the state. With the fourth phase of voting underway, the violence in West Bengal has continued with crude bombs being found and BJP candidate Babul Supriyo being attacked. Now, a shocking visual has come to light where TMC workers can be seen openly rigging the elections in East Burdwan, West Bengal.
https://twitter.com/dna/status/1122702901548204032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The video tweeted by DNA is from East Burdwan constituency Ketugram at polling booth number 104 and 107. The incident reportedly took place in the Khaji High School booth of East Burdwan.
In the video, it is evident that the TMC leader was staring at the EVM every time a voter was casting his or her vote to keep a vigil on who the person is voting for.
By law, anyone accompanying the voter inside the polling booth is not permitted and here, TMC workers can be seen accompanying voters in a bid to intimidate them and perhaps ensure that the vote is cast in TMC’s favour.
The Presiding Officer was allowing the alleged TMC leader to stand inside the polling booth keeping a vigil on voters. According to reports, the Presiding Officer was immediately removed after the incident came to light and was taken note of by the Election Commission.
BJP has alleged rigging in several other polling booths across West Bengal like Ranaghat Uttar Para booth and Chakdaha assembly booth.