Dhubri, July 11: A total of 133 individuals who feared for their safety amidst the violence surrounding the panchayat elections in West Bengal have found refuge in the Dhubri District of Assam. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed that the state government has provided them with shelter, food, and medical assistance in a relief camp.
The State Election Commission (SEC) took action in response to widespread reports of vote-tampering and violence, declaring the polling “void” in 19 districts. As a result, re-polling was conducted at 697 booths across these areas.
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The SEC held a meeting on July 9 to assess the situation and make necessary decisions. The final results of the election are scheduled to be announced on July 11.
The panchayat elections witnessed sporadic incidents of violence in various parts of north and south Bengal, including Cooch Behar, North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur, Murshidabad, Malda, Howrah, South 24 Parganas, and East Burdwan.
Tragically, at least 19 individuals lost their lives during the three-tier election process, and a TMC worker died from injuries sustained in a bomb explosion in Sitalkuchi, Cooch Behar district.
At present, the counting of votes is underway in the violence-affected panchayat and rural body elections in West Bengal. This follows a day of repolling at 696 polling booths in 19 districts. According to the latest updates, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) is leading in 461 seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is ahead in 92 seats, with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) trailing behind with 108 seats.
