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EC dismisses Mamata Banerjee’s EVM tampering allegations
Kolkata: West Bengal witnessed high political drama on Thursday night after the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) alleged tampering of electronic voting machines (EVMs) at a counting centre in Bhabanipur.
The situation escalated when Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee personally visited the strongroom in south Kolkata and stayed there for several hours while party leaders staged a protest.
The TMC claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) attempted to interfere with EVMs at Sakhawat Memorial School, a designated counting centre for the Bhabanipur assembly constituency. However, election officials firmly denied these allegations.
North Kolkata District Election Officer Smita Pandey clarified that all procedures are being carried out strictly according to guidelines set by the Election Commission. She explained that postal ballots and EVMs are handled separately and under tight security. According to her, the strongroom remains sealed, and access is strictly controlled to prevent any unauthorized entry.
Pandey also noted that the process of handling postal ballots takes place in a secure and monitored environment, with officials stationed at every step to ensure transparency and safety.
Amid the controversy, Mamata Banerjee stressed the need for transparency in the electoral process. She called for enhanced monitoring, including CCTV surveillance, to ensure fairness. She also warned that any attempt to manipulate votes would not be tolerated.
Meanwhile, the BJP dismissed the allegations, suggesting that the late-night protest reflects nervousness within the TMC camp. This comes as several exit polls have predicted a strong performance by the BJP in the West Bengal assembly elections, with results scheduled to be announced on May 4.
The incident has further intensified the political atmosphere in the state, with both parties trading sharp accusations ahead of the final results.
