Despite assurances to make this year’s assembly elections free of all forms of terror tactics employed by the TMC, the Central Election Commission (CEC) failed to live up to expectations as Trinamool Congress supporters and state police personnel were seen to be active in terrorising voters in many areas of Junglemahal where the first phase of poll started today.
In all, elections are being held in 18 assembly constituencies in three districts (West Medinipur-6, Purulia-9 and Bankura-3) of Junglemahal. By 11 am, in the first four hours of polling, 45 percent votes were cast, according to the EC.
But even as voting began a number of complaints started reaching the EC. Most of the complaints related to the passive role of the central paramilitary forces (CPMFs). While adequate central security forces were despatched to the Junglemahal, the overall deployment and management was left in the hands of the district administration.