West Bengal elections: 5 police officers suspended on charges of bias, 91.91% voting in first phase

West Bengal Elections: The Election Commission has taken major action by showing strictness regarding fairness during the elections in West Bengal. On Friday, five officers of the Diamond Harbor Police District were suspended. These also include an ASP and an SDPO. These officials are accused of not exercising impartiality and adopting a partisan attitude during the first phase of voting. The Commission has given instructions to initiate immediate departmental action against them.

Along with this, a warning has also been issued to Diamond Harbor SP Ishani Pal. The Commission says that he showed negligence in maintaining adequate control and discipline over his subordinate officers in sensitive election matters. The Commission has given clear instructions that the entire action should be implemented immediately and its report should be submitted by 11 am on Saturday.

These officers came under the scanner of action

The officers against whom action has been taken include Sandeep Garai (ASP), Sajal Mandal (SDPO), Mausam Chakraborty (Inspector-in-charge, Diamond Harbor police station), Ajay Bagh (Inspector-in-charge, Phalta police station) and Subhash Bagh (Officer-in-charge, Usthi police station).

Earlier, while giving information about the first phase of voting, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar had said that this time voting has been recorded at a record level in West Bengal. According to the Election Commission, till 6 pm, 91.91 percent voting took place, which is one of the highest figures till date.

More than 90% voting in many districts

Voting percentage crossed 90 in many districts of the state. South Dinajpur recorded the highest turnout with 94.85 percent, while Cooch Behar, Birbhum, Jalpaiguri and Murshidabad also recorded between 92 and 94 percent.

Now voting will be held on the remaining 142 seats of the state on May 29, while the counting of votes will be done on May 4.