Lok Sabha polls phase 7: Mob loots reserve EVMs, throws VVPAT machines in pond in West Bengal

As the voting for the seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha elections began on Saturday (June 1), theChief Electoral Officer (CEO) in the Indian state of West Bengal said that a mob looted reserve Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and threw two VVPAT machines inside a pond. The incident occurred in the South 24 Parganas district.

In a post on X, the CEO said, "Today morning at 6.40 am Reserve EVMs & papers of Sector Officer near Benimadhavpur FP school, at 129-Kultali AC of 19-Jaynagar (SC) PC has been looted by local mob and 1 CU, 1 BU, 2VVPAT machines have been thrown inside a pond."

"Sector Police was a little behind. FIR has been lodged by the Sector Officer and necessary action has been initiated. The poll process in all six booths under the Sector is running uninterrupted. Fresh EVM and papers have been provided to the Sector Officer," it added.

BJP criticises incident

In a post on X, Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Amit Malviyacriticised the act and said that democracy was up in flames in West Bengal. Hitting out at the ruling Trinamool Congress in the state, Malviya said in a post on X, "Bombs have been hurled in Jadavpur’s Bhangar, irate villagers in Joynagar’s Kultali have thrown an EVM and VVPAT machine in a pond because TMC goons won’t let them vote…"

"But the worst affected is Diamond Harbour, where Mamata Banerjee’s nephew and heir apparent is contesting from. BJP workers are being intimidated, not allowed to sit in the booths, their polling documents Ana ched and destroyed… WB Police is acting like Abhishek Banerjee’s henchmen," he added.