NEW DELHI: As West Bengal awaits election results to be announced tomorrow, chaos erupted near the Asansol Engineering College strong room after a switched-off mobile phone was discovered in an envelope.
The phone, along with several documents related to the Raniganj assembly constituency, was recovered, leading to suspicions and a brief commotion at the site. A BJP leader alleged that election officials were favoring the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and raised alarms regarding possible electoral irregularities. “Someone was trying to enter here with a mobile phone. Our men caught him. Mobile phones are forbidden. I don’t know what the police are doing. We won’t allow any unethical act here. All the officers are TMC,” the leader claimed.
This incident occurred amid heavy security measures around strong rooms statewide to avert clashes and safeguard Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) ahead of the counting day. West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal stated that all arrangements have been made following Election Commission guidelines, emphasizing a three-tier security system comprising central forces, local police, and state police. He also warned that strict action would be taken against any negligence.
The development is set against a backdrop of heightened tensions during the electoral cycle, characterized by accusations of violence, voter intimidation, and irregularities throughout polling. Multiple incidents of clashes and vandalism were reported from various locations including Chapra, Shantipur, Nimtala, and Bhangar.
In a notable decision, the Election Commission mandated fresh polling in the entire Falta assembly constituency due to ‘severe electoral offences’ and the undermining of the democratic process during the voting phase on April 29. Additionally, repolling was conducted in selected booths in South 24 Parganas under strict security measures, with the authorities working to restore confidence in the electoral process.
The West Bengal assembly elections were held in two phases on April 23 and April 29, and results from these high-stakes elections are expected to be revealed on May 4.
