EC orders FIR after poll staffer assaulted at Ranaghat school
Times of India | 28 March 2026
Ranaghat: A man on poll duty was allegedly assaulted during an election training session in Nadia district on Friday after he objected to the screening of a govt advertisement, officials said.
The EC sought detailed reports from the DGP, DM, SP and SDO, and directed that an FIR be lodged immediately and the accused arrested at the earliest.
The incident occurred at a training centre in a school in Ranaghat.
According to participants, an advertisement featuring chief minister Mamata Banerjee was projected before the session began, prompting objections from some polling personnel who pointed out that the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) was in force.
The poll official, identified as Saikat Chattopadhyay, alleged he was assaulted for protesting. "I questioned why a govt advertisement carrying the chief minister's image was being shown despite the MCC being in force. I was then physically assaulted and threatened," he claimed.
"If such incidents occur during training itself, it raises serious questions about the security of poll staff during the elections," he added. Following the incident, several polling personnel reportedly halted the session and staged a protest at the venue.
"We have received information about the incident and are verifying the facts. Appropriate action will be taken based on the findings," said Nadia DM Srikanta Palli.
Chief electoral officer Manoj Agarwal said a report on the incident had already been sent to the EC. "We have asked for strict action," he added.