“According to unofficial statistics, approximately 80 people died in the 2003 panchayat elections, 45 in 2008, and in 2013, the toll was 31. The toll increased to 75 in 2018”
The governor, who visited several violence-hit areas, said it "isn't a very happy situation". "The perpetrators of violence want murder, they want starvation, they want bullets. Instead of waging war, we must learn to wage peace."
The BJP alleged that State Election Commissioner Rajiva Sinha failed to hold the polls in a free and fair manner. The Leader of Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, led a BJP delegation to the SEC office.
At least 18 people were killed on Saturday as violence broke out during voting for the three-tier panchayat polls across 20 districts | Latest News India
Nine persons have been killed in alleged political violence since the West Bengal panchayat poll dates were announced on June 8. Of the dead, five are from the TMC, two from the Congress, and one each from the CPM, ISF and the BJP.