Within just four hours of polling, the Election Commission received a surge of complaints from across the state. By 11 AM, a total of 260 complaints had been lodged directly with the Commission, officials confirmed at noon.
At the same time, the C-Vigil app â introduced to enable real-time reporting of poll violations â recorded 375 complaints. The Commission reiterated that voters can use the app to report any breach of the Model Code of Conduct instantly.
Voting underway across 152 constituencies
Polling for the first phase began at 7 AM on Thursday, covering 152 constituencies spread across 16 districts. These include the entirety of North Bengal, Jangalmahal, along with Murshidabad, Birbhum, West Burdwan, and East Midnapore.
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Despite early disruptions, voter turnout remained steady. The Commission reported that nearly 40% of votes had been cast by 11 AM, reflecting active participation on the ground.
Reports of sporadic unrest surfaced from several areas during the morning hours. Officials said that necessary steps were taken promptly to bring the situation under control and ensure the voting process continued smoothly.
EVM glitches trigger protests
Allegations of EVM malfunctions emerged from multiple polling booths, causing delays and frustration among voters. In some locations, voting started late, while in others, voters staged protests over faulty machines.
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Tensions were particularly visible in Mothabari in Malda, where repeated demonstrations were reported.
State Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal acknowledged the issues, stating that complaints regarding EVM and CCTV malfunctions had been received and addressed swiftly.
âWe acted immediately wherever such reports came in,â he said, assuring that corrective measures were put in place without delay.
