Kolkata: A political storm erupted in Bengal ahead of the Assembly election counting after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited a strongroom and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) staged protests over alleged irregularities involving Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and ballot boxes.
With just two days left for counting, the TMC alleged that ballot boxes were opened without the presence of authorised party representatives. The allegation came shortly after the conclusion of the final phase of polling in the state.
Mamata Banerjee, accompanied by her election agent, visited the counting centre for the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency at Sakhawat Memorial School in Kolkata on Thursday evening. During the visit, she raised concerns over possible malpractice in the handling of EVMs and ballot boxes.
“There is a strong room here for EVMs. We found that in many places, manipulation is taking place. When I saw the CCTV on TV, I thought I should also go and see it. Initially, the Central Forces wouldn’t let me enter. But according to our election rules, the candidate and election agent of any party are allowed up to the sealed room,” she said.
The visit followed a protest by TMC leaders outside a strongroom in Kolkata, where party workers claimed that ballot boxes were being accessed without proper authorisation. � The party described the development as a serious breach of electoral protocol and demanded accountability.
The situation escalated into a late-night standoff, with TMC leaders maintaining a vigil near the strongroom and alleging suspicious activity. Mamata Banerjee also warned against any attempt to tamper with the counting process, signalling heightened tension ahead of the results.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, rejected the allegations, calling them baseless. Party leaders said the claims were an attempt to create confusion and undermine the electoral process. They maintained that all procedures were being followed as per Election Commission guidelines.
Counting of votes is scheduled to take place on May 4.
