In the two Assembly constituencies of Belgachhia (East) and Alipore, the city witnessed opposite moods today.

While polling in Alipore constituency, with 45 per cent turnout, was peaceful; Belgachhia (East), which saw 63 per cent polling, remained tense with reports of altercations between CPM and Trinamool supporters.

Since morning, voting in Belgachhia (East), where Ramola Chakrabarty is pitted against Sujit Bose, had begun on a sour note with five EVMs allegedly breaking down even before the voting started.

The District Magistrate’s office said the batteries were immediately replaced and it did not cause any delay in the voting process.

The long queues in front of the booth, however, told a different story. Pradip Chattopadhyay, who had accompanied his mother for voting at booth 37, said: “The machine had broken down and it remained shut for half-an-hour. We have been standing here for nearly an hour in the sun now,” he said.

In most places where the EVMs had caused problems, the voters had to wait for more than half-an-hour in the queue.

Meanwhile, two women were arrested on account of bogus voting in BE block in Salt Lake. Allegations were also made against the presiding officer for allegedly allowing the women into the booth.

District Magistrate of North 24-Parganas Binod Kumar said actions of the presiding officer would be investigated and he would be questioned about his alleged involvement.

Tension also broke out in Sukanta Nagar with members of the Trinamool Congress claiming that two of their supporters were missing.

... contd.