Mob loots an EVM and dumps a VVPAT machine into a pond in South 24 Paraganas, West Bengal

EVMs thrown in a pond

Two VVPAT devices were thrown into a pond in South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, and electronic voting machines (EVMs) were looted by local mobs during the seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha election, which started at 7 am on Saturday, according to an ANI report.

The Chief Electoral Office, West Bengal, states that the Sector Officer has filed a formal complaint and that the appropriate steps have been taken.

"Today morning at 6.40 am Reserve EVMs and papers of Sector Officer near Benimadhavpur FP school, at 129-Kultali AC of 19-Jaynagar (SC) PC has been looted by local mob and 1 CU, 1 BU, 2VVPAT machines have been thrown inside a pond," CEO West Bengal posted on X.

Amit Malviya, a BJP leader, condemned the incident and declared that democracy in West Bengal is in ruins. "Democracy is up in flames in West Bengal. Bombs have been hurled in Jadavpur's Bhangar, irate villagers in Joynagar's Kulti have thrown an EVM and VVPAT machine in a pond because TMC goons won't let them vote," he posted on X. Malviya went on to say that the most impacted constituency is Diamond Harbour, where the nephew and presumed heir of Mamata Banerjee is running for office.

"But the worst affected is Diamond Harbour, where Mamata Banerjee's nephew and heir apparent is contesting from. BJP workers are being intimidated, not allowed to sit in the booths, their polling documents Ana ched and destroyed... WB Police is acting like Abhishek Banerjee's henchmen. Even the Muslims have not been spared because a large number of them are voting for CPI(M) candidate Pratikur Rahman. TMC's 'secularism' dies the moment Muslims start voting against it," he wrote on X.

Voting began at 7 am in West Bengal's nine seats including-- Barasat, Basirhat, Diamond Harbour, Dum Dum, Jaynagar, Jadavpur, Kolkata Dakshin, Kolkata Uttar, and Mathurapur.

(With Inputs from ANI)