The Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal has clarified that an 82-year-old voter collapsed due to illness and not due to any assault by central forces during the second phase of polling in the 2026 Assembly elections. The clarification came after senior Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee alleged on Wednesday that the elderly voter had died after being assaulted by central forces in Howrah district.
Incident Details
According to the CEO's office, the incident occurred at a polling station in Howrah district on the day of the second-phase polling. The elderly voter was standing in line when he suddenly fell down. He was immediately taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead. Preliminary medical reports indicate that the man suffered from a pre-existing heart condition and died due to a cardiac arrest.
CEO's Statement
The CEO West Bengal took to social media platform X to issue a clarification, stating, "It is clarified that the 82-year-old voter collapsed due to illness and not due to any assault by central forces. The matter has been thoroughly investigated, and the medical report confirms natural causes." The post was accompanied by a fact-check hashtag and tagged the Election Commission of India, the PIB, and other official handles.
Political Reactions
Abhishek Banerjee, the TMC national general secretary, had earlier claimed that the elderly voter was beaten by central forces, leading to his death. He demanded a high-level inquiry into the matter and alleged a pattern of violence against TMC supporters during the elections. However, the CEO's clarification has contradicted these claims, emphasizing that there was no assault involved.
Election Commission's Response
The Election Commission of India has also taken note of the incident and reiterated that all necessary protocols were followed. In a statement, the EC said, "We have received a detailed report from the West Bengal CEO. The death was due to natural causes, and there is no evidence of any misconduct by security personnel." The EC urged political parties to refrain from spreading unverified information that could create unrest.
Background
The 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections are being held in multiple phases. The second phase witnessed a voter turnout of over 75%, with polling largely peaceful except for isolated incidents of violence. The TMC has repeatedly accused the central forces of acting in a biased manner, while the Election Commission has maintained that security forces are following standard operating procedures.
Fact-Check Initiative
The CEO's clarification is part of a broader fact-check initiative by the Election Commission to counter misinformation during the elections. The EC has set up a dedicated fact-check unit to verify claims made by political parties and individuals. This incident highlights the importance of relying on official sources for accurate information.
In conclusion, the death of the 82-year-old voter has been confirmed as due to illness, not assault. The CEO's clarification aims to dispel rumors and maintain public trust in the electoral process.
