The controversy surfaced at Jagadish Chandra Vidyapith, Booth No. 26/237, where a woman voter claimed that her vote had already been cast before she could exercise her franchise. Her father backed the allegation, raising concerns of impersonation and electoral malpractice.
‘My vote cast by someone else’: Proxy voting claim triggers tension in Bengal’s Phase 1 polling; BJP moves EC
The West Bengal Assembly elections saw early signs of tension in Siliguri on Thursday, as allegations of proxy voting as well as a face-off between rival party workers disrupted polling at a booth in Darjeeling district. With the ruling Trinamool Congress pushing for a fourth straight term and the BJP mounting an aggressive challenge, the contest has turned into a closely watched political battle across the state.
The controversy surfaced at Jagadish Chandra Vidyapith, Booth No. 26/237, where a woman voter claimed that her vote had already been cast before she could exercise her franchise. Her father backed the allegation, raising concerns of impersonation and electoral malpractice.
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Father of the voter, Gopal Das said, “My daughter and I came to vote. I cast my vote, after which we were told that someone had already cast the vote in my daughter’s name… We were asked to call the DLO, who said that this is not under me…”
#WATCH | Siliguri, West Bengal | A voter alleges a proxy vote in her name during the state election 2026
Father of the voter, Gopal Das says, “My daughter and I came to vote. I cast my vote, after which we were told that someone had already cast the vote in my daughter’s name…… pic.twitter.com/1Jk1jP11Gi
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2026
The incident quickly drew political attention, with BJP supporters alleging “proxy voting” and stating that the matter would be taken up with the Election Commission.
Also, tensions escalated at the same polling centre when supporters of BJP candidate Shankar Ghosh and Trinamool Congress leader Goutam Deb got into a verbal altercation. The situation remained tense for a brief period before security personnel intervened and dispersed the crowd, restoring order.
No injuries were reported, and polling continued under tight security arrangements.
BJP candidate Shankar Ghosh, who cast his vote earlier in the day, appealed to voters to participate peacefully. He said, “Everyone must exercise their vote. I want peaceful voting. This time we will form the government,” Ghosh said.
Ghosh, the sitting MLA from Siliguri, is in a multi-cornered contest against TMC’s Goutam Deb, CPI(M)’s Saradindu Chakraborty, and Congress candidate Alok Dhara.
West Bengal is voting in two phases for its 294-member Assembly, with 152 constituencies going to polls in the first phase. According to the Election Commission of India, 1,478 candidates are in the fray in this phase. The second phase is scheduled for April 29, while counting will take place on May 4.
The election is being seen as a direct contest between the ruling Trinamool Congress, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and the BJP, which is aiming to convert its previous gains into power.
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