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Elections must be through ballots, not bullets': West Bengal Guv on poll violence

2023-07-17 00:00:00.0 铸币报-政治原网页

West Bengal Governor Ananda Bose on Saturday condemned the violent incidents being reported since the announcement of the panchayat elections date and on the voting day. He said that elections must be held through ballots not bullets in the state.

Speaking to media persons, the Governor said, “I have been in the field right from the morning...People requested me and stopped my motorcade on the way. They told me about the murders happening around them, told me about the goons not allowing them to go to the polling booths..."

“It should cause concern to all of us. This is the most sacred day for democracy...The election must be through ballots and not bullets," Bose added.

While the Governor was on his way to cast his vote in the North 24-Parganas, Bose was stopped by a few CPI(M) candidates. The CPI(M) candidates shared their concerns with the Governor, ANI reported.

Several incidents of ballot box, ballot paper looting, and destruction were reported from numerous polling booths in the state. BJP has accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of being involved in the incidents.

"Bloodshed in West Bengal in Panchayat Election. TMC candidate killed an independent Muslim candidate in North 24, Parganas dist. TMC knows only language of violence, murder and booth capturing. CM @MamataOfficial along with @CEOWestBengal is responsible for these murders," BJP state chief Sukanta Majumdar said.

The panchayat elections are underway for a single phase, with the counting of votes scheduled on July 11.

The polls are likely to see a fierce tussle for control of local administrations between the ruling TMC and the BJP and will be a litmus test for both parties ahead of next year's Lok Sabha elections.

Around 5.67 crore voters are likely to exercise their franchise to choose representatives for nearly 928 seats across 22 zilla parishads, 9,730 panchayat Samiti, and 63,239-gram panchayats seats.

West Bengal has 3,341 gram panchayats and the number of village panchayat election centres is 58,594. There are 63,239 seats at the Gram Panchayat level, 9730 at Panchayat Samiti and 928 at the Zila Parishad level.

(With ANI inputs)