Poll Official Assaulted in Nadia After Objecting to Govt Ad During Election Training
In a disturbing incident in Ranaghat, Nadia district, a man assigned to poll duty was allegedly assaulted during an election training session on Friday. The assault occurred after he objected to the screening of a government advertisement, officials confirmed. The Election Commission has taken swift action, demanding detailed reports and ordering the immediate filing of an FIR and arrest of the accused.
Incident Details and Allegations
The incident took place at a training centre located within a school in Ranaghat. According to participants, before the session began, an advertisement featuring West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was projected. This prompted objections from some polling personnel, who pointed out that the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) was in force, prohibiting such promotional content during election periods.
The poll official, identified as Saikat Chattopadhyay, alleged that he was physically assaulted and threatened for protesting the advertisement. "I questioned why a government advertisement carrying the chief minister's image was being shown despite the MCC being in force. I was then physically assaulted and threatened," he claimed. Chattopadhyay expressed serious concerns about the security of poll staff, stating, "If such incidents occur during training itself, it raises serious questions about the security of poll staff during the elections."
Immediate Aftermath and Official Responses
Following the assault, several polling personnel reportedly halted the training session and staged a protest at the venue, demanding justice and enhanced safety measures. The authorities have responded promptly to the situation.
Nadia District Magistrate Srikanta Palli stated, "We have received information about the incident and are verifying the facts. Appropriate action will be taken based on the findings." Meanwhile, Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal confirmed that a report on the incident had already been sent to the Election Commission. "We have asked for strict action," he added, underscoring the seriousness with which the matter is being treated.
Election Commission's Directive
The Election Commission has sought detailed reports from the Director General of Police (DGP), District Magistrate (DM), Superintendent of Police (SP), and Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO). It has directed that an FIR be lodged immediately and the accused arrested at the earliest. This move highlights the Commission's commitment to ensuring a fair and secure electoral process, free from intimidation and violations of the Model Code of Conduct.
The incident has sparked concerns about the enforcement of election rules and the protection of officials on duty, as preparations for upcoming elections intensify across the region.
