West Bengal Lok Sabha Election 2024: A BJP leader was injured as TMC supporters pelted stones at the Chandamari booth

A BJP representative was hurt in a stone-pelting incident that was reported from West Bengal’s Chandamari booth this morning at 7 a.m., just as the first round of voting got underway.

TMC employees are said to have thrown stones to deter voters from getting to the polls. The incident is said to have injured the BJP booth president.
Concerns about the safety and impartiality of the voting process have been raised in Cooch Behar Ward 18 during the current Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal due to accusations of electoral violence and malfeasance.

Numerous complaints have reportedly been lodged by BJP members over purported intervention by TMC employees at different voting places. Voters were intimidated and prevented from entering polling booths by TMC associates, according to one complaint. Furthermore, it was claimed that TMC employees were reportedly occupying stores within 100 meters of the polling places, instilling fear and preventing voters from freely casting their votes.

As word spread that BJP members’ homes were being damaged and vandalized by purported TMC supporters, the situation worsened. The BJP said that the voters were threatened with violence or possibly killed if they tried to exercise their democratic right to vote.

In addition, reports of obstructionism included incidents where poll workers were prevented from entering approved zones and when voters were discouraged from casting their ballots by using physical force, such as throwing stones.
In one especially worrying incidence, BJP booth president was hurt during fights with TMC members.

As word spread that TMC officials were reportedly breaking into voters’ houses and pressuring them to support their party—especially BJP supporters—and creating a climate of fear and intimidation, the situation only became worse.
Phase 1 voting got underway today under strict security protocols. 21 states and 102 Lok Sabha seats will be voting today.