The Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal have witnessed large scale violence and electoral malpractices. Dozens of videos have emerged on social media which who ruling Trinamool Congress indulging in vote rigging during the elections. In several videos, TMC workers are seen casting votes on behalf of genuine voters, in presence of poll officials and security personnel, including from central forces. Many people also have alleged that when they reached poll booths for voting, they were told that they have already voted.
Election Commission is accused of being a mute spectator to such large-scale vote rigging in West Bengal, and now a bizarre incident has happened where the EC has said that since the polls are over, they will not take action on allegations of rigging.
The Election Commission made this statement responding to a complaint filed online through its National Grievance Service portal. In a screenshot from the EC portal which was posted on Twitter by the complainant, it can be seen that on 6th May, a complaint was registered regarding poll rigging in Bangaon Lok Sabha constituency in West Bengal. It says that when few women went to cast their votes, they were sent back saying that they have already voted. The Complaint also noted that TMC agents across West Bengal along with polling officials are capturing booths in favour of TMC.
The EC portal shows the status of the complaint as ‘resolved’, which was forwarded to Bogaon Uttar 95 for necessary action. And in the action taken section, it makes the shocking claim that since the election is over, the issue is resolved. On 6th May evening, the matter was forwarded to Bongaon polling station. And in the afternoon today, the matter has been marked as resolved, with the comment, “since the election is over, it is thus resolved”.
This means according to Election Commission, the poll panel is not liable to take any action on complaints of electoral malpractices after the polls are over.
The complainant had filed another complaint with the EC portal regarding TMC men voting on behalf of elderly women, in the guise of helping the senior citizens. But instead of taking any action on the issue, the EC asked him to contact the concerned ARO.
