Election Commission Stops Voting In Sitalkuchi Seat In Bengal's Cooch Behar After 4 Dead In Clashes

2021 Bengal Election Violence: A spokesperson of the Election Commission said the decision was based on an interim report filed by special observers. Detailed reports have been sought from them and the state Chief Electoral Officer by 5 pm this evening.

The Election Commission today ordered adjournment of polls at polling station number 126 in West Bengal's Sitalkuchi Assembly constituency in Cooch Behar district amid reports of violence. A spokesperson of the Election Commission said the decision was based on an interim report filed by special observers. Detailed reports have been sought from them and the state Chief Electoral Officer by 5 pm this evening. The decision comes of the poll panel comes after four people were shot and killed in a clash with security forces outside a polling booth. The clashes, which took place as 44 seats vote today in the fourth phase of state elections, have triggered a blame-game between the BJP and the Trinamool Congress. The incident took place in the Sitalkuchi area when voting was going on, a senior district police officer told news agency Press Trust of India.