Elections in Bengal’s panchayats: six fatalities were recorded in the first three hours

In the first three hours of voting on Saturday, at least six fatalities were recorded during the three-tier panchayat elections that are now taking place in West Bengal amidst severe violence.

One death each was recorded from Cooch Behar, East Burdwan, Malda, and Nadia, while two deaths were reported from Murshidabad.

In the skirmishes that have broken out around the state, a number of individuals have also been hurt, some seriously.

The number of wounded people is yet unknown.

At least 25 people have been murdered so far in election-related violence since the voting locations were revealed on June 8.

While reports of widespread violence, bombings, and gunfights were coming from various locations, the State Election Commissioner Rajiva Sinha was not to be found in his office until 10:20 am, even though voting had started at 7:30 am.

After receiving harsh criticism, he eventually made it to his office in the heart of Kolkata just after 10:20 am and entered without responding to reporters’ questions.

Numerous voting places saw widespread looting and destruction of vote boxes and ballot papers, notably in the districts of Murshidabad and Cooch Behar.

The majority of the time, members of the central armed forces were absent from the booths, which allowed criminal activity to continue unabatedly while state police officers and poll workers stood by and did nothing.

Police and the state Election Commission have not yet provided comments on the violence.