Repolling for the panchayat elections in West Bengal commenced at 7 am on Monday at 696 polling booths across 19 districts in the state. The repolling was ordered by the Bengal state election commission after declaring the voting at these booths on Saturday as invalid. The decision came following criticism of the commission for alleged failures in ensuring a fair and transparent election process. On the day of the initial voting, there were reports of violence, booth capturing, and rigging, resulting in the deaths of 18 people.
The panchayat elections, which took place on Saturday, witnessed polling in over 61,000 booths across the state. Unfortunately, incidents of ballot box looting, arson, and dumping ballot boxes into ponds resulted in widespread violence during the process.
The repolling on Monday began at 7 am and will continue until 5 pm. To ensure the security of the polling booths, four central forces personnel have been deployed at each booth, accompanied by state police.
The repolling is a crucial step to address the concerns of voters and reestablish a fair democratic process. The Bengal state election commission took this decision to rectify the flaws observed in the initial voting process. It is expected that the repolling will help restore the faith of the citizens in the electoral system.
The implementation of tight security measures with the deployment of central forces and state police personnel is a positive step towards maintaining law and order during the repolling. By taking proactive measures, the authorities aim to prevent any incidents of violence, booth capturing, or rigging that were witnessed during the previous voting.
While the repolling is underway, it is important to remember the significance of conducting free and fair elections. The state election commission plays a crucial role in ensuring that citizens can exercise their democratic right without fear or intimidation. The commission must learn from the shortcomings of the previous voting process and take corrective measures to rectify the flaws.
Overall, the repolling for the panchayat elections in West Bengal is a necessary step to address the concerns raised regarding the fairness of the initial voting process. The deployment of security forces and the commitment to conducting a transparent and secure election is commendable. It is hoped that the repolling will proceed smoothly, allowing citizens to exercise their democratic right with confidence and trust in the electoral system.
