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TMC's Gautam Deb Protects Voter Rights as Bengal Phase 1 Polling Begins

As Phase 1 of the West Bengal Assembly elections commenced, Trinamool Congress candidate Gautam Deb cast his vote and protested that some railway employees were denied ballots after being moved on duty. The polling process began under tight security with a two-stage voter verification system implemented by CAPF and booth officers. Despite isolated reports of EVM malfunctions, early voting was largely peaceful with high voter turnout observed across constituencies. The first phase is seen as a crucial indicator in the closely contested election, with the next phase scheduled for April 29.

Key Points: Bengal Phase 1 Polling: TMC Raises Ballot Issues Amid High Turnout

  • TMC candidate raises ballot access issue
  • Two-stage voter verification in place
  • High early voter turnout observed
  • Isolated EVM glitches reported
  • Phase 1 covers 152 constituencies
2 min read

We have protested ballot issues, says Trinamool's Gautam Deb as Bengal Phase 1 polling underway

Trinamool's Gautam Deb protests ballot arrangements for railway staff as Bengal's first phase of Assembly elections sees high voter participation under tight security.

"We have protested that they have not been issued a ballot for their respective votes... - Gautam Deb"

New Delhi, April 23

As polling began on Thursday across 152 Assembly constituencies spread over 16 districts in West Bengal, Trinamool Congress candidate for the Siliguri Assembly constituency and Mayor of Siliguri Gautam Deb cast his vote and later raised concerns regarding polling arrangements.

Speaking to IANS, he said, "I have already cast my vote, and in the late night, we have been informed that several railway employees have been taken off from the reserve duty and have been sent to Alipurduar. We have protested that they have not been issued a ballot for their respective votes..."

Meanwhile, TMC candidate from Nandigram, Pabitra Kar, said the polling process was largely smooth, adding, "This is our tradition and culture. There is no major problem with voting at any place. There are only small issues here and there..."

Polling across the state covers 152 constituencies in 16 districts, with voting beginning under tight security arrangements. In several areas, voters were seen waiting in queues outside booths even before the official start of polling, reflecting high participation levels in the opening hours.

This time, voters are undergoing a two-stage verification process -- first by Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel at the entrance of polling station premises, followed by verification by booth-level officers (BLOs) before entering the polling room. Officials said the system has been put in place to ensure strict identity verification and smooth conduct of voting.

The polling process remained largely peaceful during the early hours when the report was filed, although isolated reports of malfunctioning electronic voting machines (EVMs) were received from certain booths at the start of voting. Election officials are monitoring the situation closely to ensure the swift resolution of any technical issues.

The first phase of polling is being seen as a key indicator in the tightly contested election, with major political parties closely tracking turnout trends and booth-level responses across regions.

The second phase of polling for the remaining 142 Assembly constituencies will be held on April 29, while counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Shreya B
The two-stage verification by CAPF and BLOs is a welcome step for security. After so many allegations in previous elections, this transparency is needed. Hope it's implemented fairly across all booths. 🙏
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Aman W
Interesting that within the same party, one candidate is raising concerns (Deb) and another (Kar) says it's smooth. Shows the ground reality can vary so much from constituency to constituency. Phase 1 will set the tone for the rest.
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Priyanka N
EVM malfunctions at the start are worrying, but hopefully officials resolve them quickly. We need a completely fair process. Bengal's future is at stake. Jai Hind!
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David E
Observing from outside, the scale of Indian elections is always impressive. 152 constituencies in one phase! The logistical challenge is immense. Hope the process remains peaceful and every citizen's voice is heard.
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Karthik V
With all due respect to the candidates, I wish they would focus less on immediate complaints to the media and more on encouraging people to vote. The "small issues here and there" comment feels more balanced. Let the EC do its job.

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