Kolkata, May 1 Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, Manoj Kumar Agarwal, on Friday issued a statement rubbishing an earlier social media statement by the Trinamool Congress general secretary and the party’s Lok Sabha member, Abhishek Banerjee, that an elderly voter died after being manhandled by central forces personnel at a polling booth in Udaynarayanpur in Howrah district during the second phase of Assembly polls on April 29.
In his statement issued in the morning, the CEO has also described the allegations as a fear-mongering attempt.
As per the CEO’s statement, the said voter, Purna Chandra Dolui (82), went to cast his vote with his son to booth number 245 in Udaynarayanpur.
“Despite his frailty, this determined elderly citizen exercised his democratic right. His son was allowed inside the booth to assist him right up to the EVM. After voting, Dolui suddenly collapsed near the voting compartment due to age-related illness (heart exhaustion). He was immediately rushed to Amta Hospital and declared dead on arrival,” the CEO’s statement read.
In his statement, the CEO also claimed that the entire episode was recorded by the Election Commission of India (ECI)-appointed general observer for Udaynarayanpur, which clearly showed that the collapse happened after Dolui cast his vote and that too in the presence of his son.
“There was no manhandling or push by the central forces,” the CEO has categorically stated in his statement.
“While the brave CAPF jawans continue to perform their difficult duty with professionalism and courage - working tirelessly across Bengal to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections for every citizen - they deserve our deepest respect and gratitude, not baseless lies or politically-smeared campaigns,” the CEO’s statement read.
He also claimed that it was most unfortunate that the death of that elderly citizen, who fulfilled his duty as a citizen, was being exploited for political gains.
“Democracy thrives on facts, not fear-mongering. Let truth prevail,” the CEO’s statement read.
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