‘No CAPF to stop miscreants, we watched helplessly’: Bengal poll officials

Several polling officials in West Bengal complained of malpractices during the recent panchayat elections, including booth capturing and damaging of ballot boxes. They claimed that supporters of a particular political party were involved in these activities, with no Central Armed Police Force personnel present to stop them. The election saw a wave of violence, resulting in at least 19 deaths. The State Election Commission has ordered repolling in 697 booths across 19 districts. Opposition parties have accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of being behind the violence.