: Even though elections to 91 municipalities in West Bengal on Saturday was marred by electoral malpractices and violence, West Bengal State Election Commissioner S.R. Upadhaya chose to remain tight lipped.
While one person died in poll-related violence and several others received injuries, the State Election Commissioner was not forthcoming .
In Katwa, in Bardhaman district, a supporter of Trinamool Congress, Indrajit Singh, died of bullet injuries.
In North 24-Parganas’ Titagarh, a voter was allegedly shot in his leg, while a local leader of Communist Party of India (Marxist) alleged that TMC miscreants fired at him.
“Polling today [Saturday] was neither ideal nor peaceful. I do not want to go into controversy by making my personal statements public,” Mr. Upadhaya told journalists.
After repeated questioning by journalists, Mr Upadhaya said that he had received 100 complaints and a majority of them were from North 24 Parganas district, which also has the maximum municipal bodies that went to polls on Saturday.
“About seven web-based cameras [of the West Bengal State Election Commission] were damaged. Eight to 10 areas were disturbed. We received four complaints of gunshots being fired in — Katwa [Bardhaman district], Chandannagar [Hooghly district], Bhatpara [North 24 Parganas district] and Basirhat [North 24 Parganas]. A polling officer was injured in Katwa… there were no reports of the police being attacked. We received majority of the complaints from North 24 Parganas,” Mr. Upadhaya said.
Elections to 91 municipal bodies spread across 18 districts were held during the day.
Over 74 lakh voters in these civic bodies will decide the fate of 7,636 candidates contesting 1,946 wards.
Scenes of supporters of rival parties clashing with each other, hurling stones and bombs and openly carrying firearms were aired by local television channels. In at least 10 places there were reports of bombs being hurled and bullets being fired.
The Opposition dubbed the polls as “farce” and leaders including Left Front chairperson Biman Basu marched to the office of Mr Upadhaya emphasising how the Commission has failed to conduct free and fair elections.
Polling was also disrupted temporarily at some places after tremors were felt due to earthquake.
100 complaints were received and a majority of them were from North 24 Parganas district
