West Bengal votes under the shadow of rigging claims in India

ISLAMABAD: Under heavy allegations of poll rigging by the Bharatiya Janata Party, voting for Phase 2 of the West Bengal Assembly elections took place on April 29 across 142 constituencies, marking a decisive stage in the high-stakes contest between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP.

More than 32 million voters were eligible to cast ballots across key districts, including Kolkata, Howrah and North and South 24 Parganas, according to ABP Live, as polling covered the politically crucial southern belt of the state. 

Even as voting progressed, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP of attempting to “forcefully rig” the elections, alleging that central forces deployed in the state were acting under political influence and intimidating voters, according to The Times of India. 

Banerjee also alleged that the Central Reserve Police Force was behaving in a partisan manner, claiming that voters and party workers were being harassed and threatened, according to The Economic Times. 

Reports from the ground pointed to tensions and sporadic incidents of violence. Police confirmed that cases of vandalism and unrest were reported in several areas during the early hours of polling, according to The Wire. 

NDTV also reported incidents of violence and malfunctioning electronic voting machines in parts of the state. 

The Election Commission significantly increased security deployment, with central forces stationed across sensitive constituencies and more than 2,400 people detained in a pre-poll crackdown, according to official updates reported by The Times of India. 

Despite the allegations and tensions, voter participation remained exceptionally high. Phase 2 recorded turnout levels exceeding 90%, contributing to a record overall turnout of more than 92%, according to The Economic Times. 

The BJP rejected the allegations, with its leaders accusing Banerjee of attempting to create fear among voters and undermining the credibility of the election process, according to The Times of India. 

With both sides trading accusations of intimidation and electoral malpractice, the West Bengal elections unfolded under intense political confrontation, raising fresh concerns over the fairness and conduct of the polling process in one of India’s most closely watched electoral battles.