NEW DELHI: With the West Bengal Assembly elections approaching the vote count phase, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited the Bhabanipur strong room in Kolkata on Thursday night, expressing concerns over potential tampering of electronic voting machines (EVMs). Banerjee, who is running against Suvendu Adhikari, claimed her party has received reports of “manipulation” occurring across various locations in the state. “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,” she stated.
Additionally, Banerjee reported facing obstruction from Central forces during her visit. “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 added.
Accusing the Election Commission of India of bias, Banerjee asserted, “Our agent has been arrested; there has been so much one-sidedness. Even after that, if someone tries to steal the EVM machine, if someone tries to steal the counting, then we will fight life and death together.” She urged citizens to maintain peace during this sensitive time while declaring, “Victory is Certain.”
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) issued a statement emphasizing that “every act of wrongdoing” and “heavy-handed tactics” by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Central forces would be countered through democratic means. Most exit polls have predicted a victory for the BJP, which could disrupt the TMC’s 15-year governance in the state. Chanakya Strategies estimated that the BJP could secure between 150 and 160 seats in the 294-member Assembly, while the TMC might obtain between 30 and 40 seats.
The elections recorded a historic turnout, with West Bengal achieving its highest participation level since independence. According to the Election Commission, Phase II polling saw a turnout of 91.66%, while Phase I recorded 93.19%, leading to an overall turnout of 92.47%. Female voters participated at a rate of 92.28%, slightly higher than male voters at 91.07%, indicating broad engagement amid political tensions, including discussions regarding security deployment. The vote counting is scheduled for May 4, with both parties preparing for what promises to be a closely monitored outcome.
