A late-night dispute over alleged voting irregularities unfolded in Kolkata on Thursday, as West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited EVM holding centres following a Trinamool Congress (TMC) claim of potential vote manipulation. The concerns were dismissed by the Election Commission, which stated no tampering occurred.
The controversy began with a TMC tweet alleging suspicious movement inside Khudiram Anushilan Kendra, where EVMs from seven North Kolkata Assembly seats were stored. TMC candidates Sashi Panja and Kunal Ghosh subsequently staged a sit-in protest outside Netaji Indoor Stadium, located approximately 100 metres from the centre.
While reports circulated that Banerjee was en route, she instead visited the strongroom at Sakhawat Memorial School in south Kolkata, remaining there for nearly four hours until after midnight. State Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal clarified that, as she was not a candidate or authorized agent for the North Kolkata seats, Banerjee could not enter the facility at the centre of the allegations.
What Happened at Khudiram Anushilan Kendra?
TMC candidate Kunal Ghosh stated that party workers were present at the Khudiram Anushilan Kendra strongroom until 3:30 pm on Thursday, and were then asked to leave. He claimed the strongroom was reopened around 4 pm, prompting the protest. However, Agarwal countered that this was a “miscommunication,” asserting that candidates had been informed via email about the postal ballot process in advance.
The situation de-escalated following a midnight press conference by Agarwal, after which Banerjee also departed from the Sakhawat Memorial School strongroom.
The Election Commission’s Response
Agarwal explained that, per regulations, no electricity is permitted inside strongrooms, and torches were being used for visibility. District Election Officer for North Kolkata, Smita Pandey, confirmed that the EVMs from all seven Assembly constituencies were sealed within the Khudiram Anushilan Kendra strongrooms and monitored by CCTV. Pandey further clarified that observed movement occurred within the strongroom designated for postal ballots.
Pandey stated that Assistant Returning Officers were segregating postal ballots, a process underway across the state, and that all political parties had been informed via email at 10 am that the process would begin at 4 pm.
The Election Commission’s statements effectively refuted the TMC’s allegations. Banerjee had expressed concern about “footage of tampering” emerging from locations including Netaji Indoor, but no evidence of tampering was found.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the TMC’s protest?
The protest was triggered by a TMC tweet alleging suspicious movement inside Khudiram Anushilan Kendra, where EVMs were stored, and claims that party workers were asked to leave the facility before it was reopened.
What did the Election Commission say about the allegations?
The Election Commission dismissed the allegations, stating that the observed movement was related to the postal ballot process and that all procedures were followed correctly. They also noted that no electricity is allowed inside the strongrooms, explaining the use of torches.
Where did Mamata Banerjee visit during the night?
Mamata Banerjee visited the strongroom at Sakhawat Memorial School in south Kolkata, where EVMs from her constituency were stored, and remained there for nearly four hours.
As vote counting approaches, will continued vigilance from political parties be a defining feature of this election cycle?
