New Delhi: In the aftermath of the violence during the panchayat polls in West Bengal, the State Election Commission (SEC) has declared the re-polling to take place in 697 booths, which are located across five districts. This re-polling is scheduled to be conducted on July 10, with the aim of ensuring a fair and impartial electoral process.
The re-election will be held in Purulia, Birbhum, Jalpaiguri, Nadia, and South 24 Parganas.
In an official statement, the State Election Commission said, “The West Bengal State Election Commission, in the exercise of the powers conferred on it by sub-section (3) and sub-section (4) of Section 67 of the said Act, hereby fixes 10th day of July, 2023 as the date of taking the fresh poll at 07.00 hours to be continued up to 17.00 hours uninterruptedly till completion and direct the District Panchayat Election Officer to fix the polling station at which poll shall be taken.”
Earlier,BJP MP Khagen Murmu had demanded re-polling in West Bengal’s panchayat elections, citing allegations of ballot rigging and violence. He claimed that presiding officers and election staff engaged in proxy voting for the TMC.
Violence during the Panchayat polls in West Bengal resulted in over 10 deaths and multiple injuries. The elections in 20 out of 30 districts were plagued by widespread violence, ballot paper theft, and rigging. The recent inclusion of seven districts, including Sunderban, Ichhemati, Ranaghat, Bishnupur, Jangipur, Behrampur, and an upcoming district in Basirhat, also experienced unrest.