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Bengal bypolls record 19.47% turnout in first two hours
People voted in by-elections in Nandigram and Rejinagar in West Bengal.
By 9 a.m., about 19 out of every 100 registered voters had voted across the two seats.
Nandigram had a higher turnout than Rejinagar at that time.
The voting was mostly peaceful, though some incidents were reported.
Humayun Kabir, a political party founder and legislator, was arrested during the voting.
Police said he had no authority to move between polling booths and make provocative statements.
The CPI(M) said some of its polling agents were kept out of booths in Rejinagar.
In Nandigram, the Congress candidate alleged that BJP supporters forced his agents out, but the BJP candidate denied the allegation.
Congress also said a local party leader had been detained unnecessarily.
Average turnout across Nandigram and Rejinagar was 19.47% by 9 a.m.
Nandigram recorded 20.89% polling, while Rejinagar recorded 18.05%.
Polling was described as largely peaceful, with stray incidents reported in both constituencies.
Authorities sought a report after AJUP founder Humayun Kabir was arrested in Rejinagar.
CPI(M) and Congress alleged polling-agent interference; the BJP candidate denied the Congress candidate’s allegations in Nandigram.
- Who
- Voters in Nandigram and Rejinagar; candidates and party representatives, including Humayun Kabir.
- What
- By-elections were held, with an average turnout of 19.47% in the first two hours; complaints and arrests were also reported.
- Where
- Nandigram in East Midnapore district and Rejinagar in Murshidabad district, West Bengal.
- When
- The first two hours of polling, with figures reported through 9 a.m.
- Why
- The by-elections were being held for the Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly constituencies; the article does not state why the seats were vacant.
Opposition parties’ allegations
Denials and police explanation
Polling agents in Nandigram
Opposition parties’ allegations
Congress candidate Milan Pradhan alleged BJP supporters forced his polling agents out while central forces watched without acting.
Denials and police explanation
BJP candidate Hasirani Rath denied the allegations and called them false.
Polling agents in Rejinagar
Opposition parties’ allegations
The CPI(M) alleged its agents were prevented from entering or sitting in four booths in Dadpur.
Denials and police explanation
The article gives no response to the CPI(M)’s allegation.
Humayun Kabir’s arrest
Opposition parties’ allegations
The article does not report Kabir’s response to his arrest.
Denials and police explanation
A district police officer said Kabir had no authority to move between booths and make provocative statements, and that he had violated rules.
Sheikh Asraful Tulla’s arrest
Opposition parties’ allegations
Congress said its Nandigram Block-1 president was detained unnecessarily.
Denials and police explanation
The article gives no response from police or other authorities to Congress’s claim.
Key facts
- Average turnout by 9 a.m.
- 19.47%
- Nandigram turnout
- 20.89%
- Rejinagar turnout
- 18.05%
- Polling-agent complaint
- CPI(M) alleged its agents were barred from booths 112, 113, 114 and 122 in Dadpur, Rejinagar.
- Nandigram complaint
- Congress candidate Milan Pradhan alleged BJP supporters forced his polling agents out; BJP candidate Hasirani Rath denied the allegations.
- Arrest in Rejinagar
- AJUP founder and legislator Humayun Kabir was arrested; the CEO’s office sought a report from the Murshidabad district administration.
- Additional arrest
- Nandigram Block-1 Congress president Sheikh Asraful Tulla was arrested; Congress said he was detained unnecessarily.
Quotes
District Congress leader
Congress leader commenting on the detention of Sheikh Asraful Tulla.
“Kabir’s son, Golam Nabi Azad, is the candidate for Rejinagar bypoll. Kabir is not the candidate. He is neither the polling agent of his son. So, he has no authority to move from one booth to the other and make provocative statements. He violated the rules since morning. So, he had been arrested.”
thehansindia.com
“There is no such thing as democracy in the area now. The concerned authorities are being informed about this incident.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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