A senior ECI official said, “We will map the sensitive area category-wise after getting the full list. Many Opposition parties alleged to us that violence not only occurred during the panchayat polls but also before and after it. We also got information that in many areas, especially where the ruling party has a strong hold, general voters were stopped from casting their votes. Also, polling agents were stopped in various areas. The ECI wants to take strong and necessary action against these malpractices and that is why we sought information.”

He added, “After getting information, we will accordingly deploy central forces and election observers to control such violence so that people can cast their vote in a free and fair environment. In such a manner only can we ensure a level playing field for polling.”

The West Bengal panchayat elections held in 2023 witnessed widespread violence across several districts, leaving almost 50 people dead in clashes between and within parties. According to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the most casualties were among Trinamool Congress supporters.

Violence and murders were reported almost every day from the day of issue of notification for the election on June 8 to the day of polling on July 9 and even on the day of counting on July 11. Certain areas like Murshidabad, South 24 Parganas and Cooch Behar witnessed more incidents.

Despite the intervention of the Calcutta High Court and the deployment of central forces, the State Election Commission failed to check the rampant violence. After the polls, in many cases the Calcutta High Court also identified practices of poll rigging.