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EVM Malfunction, Officer Absconds: Voting Disrupted in West Bengal's Malda

Voting was disrupted at the Balua Chara High School booth in Malda's Mothabari constituency due to an alleged EVM malfunction and the reported absconding of the sector officer. The incident occurs in a politically charged district where a recent gherao of judicial officers and an NIA probe have already sparked controversy. In Mothabari, TMC's Islam Md Najrul is facing off against BJP's Nibaran Ghosh among other candidates. The first phase of the 294-seat assembly elections is currently underway, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee seeking a fourth term against a BJP push for power.

Key Points: EVM Malfunction Disrupts Voting in West Bengal's Malda

  • Voting disrupted in Malda booth
  • EVM malfunction alleged
  • Sector officer absconded
  • TMC vs BJP contest in Mothabari
  • First phase of polls underway
2 min read

West Bengal polls: Voting disrupted at Balua Chara High School booth in Malda amid alleged EVM malfunction

Voting disrupted at Malda booth amid EVM malfunction and officer absconding. Key contest between TMC and BJP in Mothabari. Phase 1 polls underway.

"The sector officer absconded amid a reported malfunction in the Electronic Voting Machine."

Malda, April 23

Voting for the 2026 West Bengal elections was disrupted at Balua Chara High School booth in Mothabari constituency as the sector officer absconded amid a reported malfunction in the Electronic Voting Machine.

Malda has been a hotbed of politics in the run-up to the elections. A major political storm had erupted in West Bengal after seven judicial officers, including three women, were gheraoed in Malda district on April 1.

A National Investigation Agency (NIA) team on April 4 visited the office of the Malda Superintendent of Police (SP) and later investigated the Block Development Officer's (BDO) office in Kaliachowk, Malda, in relation to the incident.

Both the BJP and the TMC have accused each other, sparking a political row over the incident.

In Mothabari constituency, Islam Md Najrul is contesting on the Trinamool Congress ticket against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s Nibaran Ghosh. All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM)'s Mostahid Haque and Congress' Sayem Chowdhury are also in the fray.

In the 2021 polls, TMC's Yeasmin Sabina won by a margin of 56,573 (35.1 per cent) votes against BJP candidate Shyamchand Ghosh.

Polling for the first phase of the Assembly elections began amid tight security on Thursday. The voting will conclude at 6:00 pm today in both states.

The counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.

In West Bengal, the parties are contesting against one another for 294 Assembly seats. As per the Election Commission of India (ECI), the first phase covers 152 Assembly constituencies, while the second phase includes 142 seats. There are a total of 1,478 candidates in the fray in this phase.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is aiming for a fourth consecutive term, while the BJP, which secured 77 seats in the previous election, is making a renewed push to form the government in the state.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Malda is always in the news for the wrong reasons during elections. The political temperature is so high that it affects administration. Hope the voters' faith is restored and they get to cast their vote peacefully. 🤞
R
Rohit P
While I support the current government's national work, such incidents in states are worrying. The BJP needs a stronger ground game in Bengal. The EC should be completely impartial and not allow any party to disrupt voting.
M
Meera T
As a citizen, I just want free and fair elections. It's sad that instead of focusing on development, every election in Bengal becomes about accusations and violence. My humble request to all parties: let people vote in peace.
S
Sarah B
Following this from abroad. The NIA involvement mentioned earlier is serious. If there's a security angle, it needs thorough investigation. But the immediate priority has to be ensuring every voter gets their constitutional right today.
V
Vikram M
The sector officer ran away? That says it all about the pressure on officials. Respectfully, the Election Commission needs to be much more proactive and have better contingency plans. One malfunction shouldn't disrupt the entire process.
K
Karthik V
High-stakes battle for sure. TMC wants a fourth term, BJP wants to make inroads. But at the end

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