Streets of Kolkata saw significant tension between the Election Commission and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the aftermath of the West Bengal assembly elections, as TMC held a sit-in protest alleging irregularities within strongrooms that housed electronic voting machines (EVMs).
TMC leaders accused the Election Commission of procedural lapses, claiming that party workers, who were stationed outside the strongroom, were instructed to leave in the afternoon. Subsequently, TMC learned via an email that the strongroom would reopen at 4 p.m. “Party workers and supporters were present outside the strongroom until 3:30 p.m. Suddenly, an email was sent informing that the strongroom would be opened again at 4 p.m. We contacted our workers, and they said they had left. We then rushed here, but now we are not being allowed to enter. BJP is being invited,” said TMC leader Kunal Ghosh.
The TMC characterized the situation as a “murder of democracy in broad daylight,” accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of collaborating with the Election Commission to tamper with ballot boxes and EVMs throughout the electoral process. They claimed that CCTV footage depicted ballot boxes being accessed without authorized representatives present, labeling this as “gross electoral fraud.”
Additionally, TMC alleged that tactics including voter intimidation and the deletion of names had failed, leading the BJP to resort to “desperate measures” such as EVM tampering. “CCTV footage has exposed how BJP, in active collusion with the Election Commission, is opening ballot boxes without the presence of any relevant party stakeholders,” the party stated on X.
TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee arrived at the counting center for the Bhabanipur assembly segment amidst heavy rains, expressing concerns over EVM tampering in numerous areas. “When I saw the CCTV footage, I felt I should also come and see it. Initially, the Central Forces wouldn’t let me enter. According to our election rules, the candidate and election agent from any party are allowed access to the sealed room,” she asserted. Banerjee urged the public to maintain peace during this critical time, affirming that victory was within reach.
In response to TMC’s protests, BJP leaders arrived at the scene, questioning why TMC members were permitted to gather in a sensitive location. They accused the TMC of fabricating stories to mislead the public. BJP member Tapas Roy remarked, “I found TMC supporters howling outside the venue, which they cannot do at such a sensitive place. They shouldn’t have been allowed to gather here.”
West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal dismissed TMC’s allegations, asserting that the strongrooms were “safe and secure” and that no controversy existed regarding the incident. He noted that CCTV footage from all strongrooms containing EVMs was being monitored and broadcasted, emphasizing the adherence to election protocol.
“The law and order situation is fine. Counting will proceed in a 100% neat and clean manner, just like the elections were,” Agarwal stated, reinforcing the Electoral Commission’s commitment to transparency.
In a related development, the Calcutta High Court dismissed TMC’s petition challenging the Election Commission’s directive to deploy central government and public sector employees for vote counting, thereby affirming the validity of the Commission’s decision.
Tensions surrounding the election have been heightened by concerns related to central-state rivalries and allegations of unnecessary police presence targeting TMC workers. Voter turnout during the polling day marked the highest since independence, attributed to significant security measures, underscoring the competitive nature of the election between TMC and BJP. Most exit polls indicated a closely contested race, with predictions showing both parties securing approximately 145 seats each in the 294-member assembly.
