Voting was briefly halted in the Bali Assembly constituency after an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) malfunction at Don Bosco Liluah Sahanlal School sparked chaos and voter protests. The technical glitch led to escalating tensions, requiring intervention from central security forces and the Howrah Police Commissionerate to restore order.
Two individuals have been arrested in connection with the unrest, which also spread to booths 152, 153, and 154. While the technical issue was eventually addressed, the incident highlighted the fragile nature of polling booth stability during high-stakes elections.
Technical Glitch Triggers Unrest at Polling Booths
The disruption began early in the day when voters at the Don Bosco Liluah Sahanlal School reported that the EVM had ceased to function. As the queue grew and the heat intensified, frustration among the electorate turned into a heated confrontation with booth officials. According to reports from the Howrah Police Commissionerate, the “technical glitch” was the primary catalyst for the disorder.
“Our priority was to secure the booth and ensure the safety of the voters while the Election Commission technicians addressed the hardware failure,” an official stated. Despite the arrival of central forces, the situation remained volatile for several hours, leading to the arrest of two persons for allegedly inciting the crowd.
A Pattern of Disturbance Across the Constituency
The chaos at Sahanlal School was not an isolated event; disturbances were also reported at booths 152, 153, and 154, suggesting a ripple effect of anxiety across the Bali constituency. Historical data often shows that even minor technical delays can be misconstrued by a polarized electorate, leading to allegations of foul play.
In this instance, the prompt deployment of additional police personnel prevented the skirmishes from spiralling into larger-scale violence. This incident follows a trend of heightened sensitivity around EVM reliability, a topic that continues to dominate the narrative of electoral integrity in the region.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At The Logical Indian, we believe that the right to vote is the most sacred pillar of a democracy, and its exercise should be defined by peace and patience rather than aggression. While technical failures are undoubtedly frustrating, responding with chaos only undermines the democratic process we seek to protect. It is imperative for the authorities to ensure 100% equipment readiness to prevent such triggers, but equally, it is the responsibility of the citizens to maintain harmony and trust in the system.
Violence at a polling station doesn’t just disrupt a day; it discourages the community from participating in their own governance. We must strive for an electoral environment where dialogue and empathy override impulse and anger.
#WATCH | West Bengal Elections 2026 | Chaos erupted outside a polling booth in Howrah as a few people were carried away from the spot by CRPF personnel/ Voters say that voting began here at 8.30 am after three failed attempts to vote, owing to a machine malfunctioning. They also… pic.twitter.com/xXhrqoS4SB
— ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2026
