TMC candidates protest at Kolkata’s EVM strongroom, allege irregularities
TMC candidates Kunal Ghosh and Shashi Panja staged a sit-in protest at Khudiram Anushilan Kendra in Kolkata, alleging irregularities in the handling of EVMs stored after the second phase of polling. The protest followed Mamata Banerjee’s call for round-the-clock vigilance over strongrooms.
Kolkata: Hours after party supremo Mamata Banerjee urged TMC leaders, workers and polling agents to maintain a 24-hour vigil over strongrooms housing EVMs, party candidates Kunal Ghosh and Shashi Panja staged a sit-in protest at Khudiram Anushilan Kendra on Thursday, alleging irregular activities inside the facility.
The protest came a day after the second phase of polling in West Bengal on Wednesday, following which EVMs were stored in strongrooms at the centre.
The Election Commission, however, dismissed the claims regarding the handling of polled materials at the centre, asserting that all procedures were duly followed and the strongrooms remain secure.
Alleging procedural lapses, TMC leaders claimed party workers stationed outside the strongroom were asked to leave in the afternoon and later received information that the strongroom would be reopened at 4 pm.
Speaking on the incident, Ghosh claimed, “Party workers and supporters were present outside the strongroom till 3.30 pm. Suddenly, an email was sent informing that the strongroom would be opened again at 4 pm. We contacted our workers, and they said they had left. We then rushed here. Now we are not being allowed to enter. BJP is being invited.”
The TMC Belaghata candidate further alleged discrepancies in the process, claiming live streaming showed activity inside the strongroom.
“Ballot papers are being moved inside. Yet the CEO is saying nothing is happening. If postal ballots are being processed, where did they come from? If an email was sent, why were we not informed?” he asked.
Panja, who is contesting from Shyampukur constituency, also questioned the procedure and said, “The strongroom is extremely sensitive. If it is opened, all political parties must be informed. Why was no one informed?”
In a video message earlier in the day, Banerjee asked party leaders, candidates and workers to remain on high alert during counting and guard strong rooms housing the EVMs.
“You must guard the counting centres. If needed, I will also go and guard my area. Candidates must guard themselves. Stay awake. If I can do it, so can you. There is a plan to change the machines while transporting EVMs. Do not take this lightly,” she said.
In a post on X, the TMC described the “act” as “murder of democracy in broad daylight”, accusing the BJP of colluding with the Election Commission to tamper with ballot boxes and EVMs during the ongoing poll process.
In a strongly worded statement, the party claimed that CCTV footage showed ballot boxes being opened without the presence of authorised representatives of political parties, terming it “gross electoral fraud”.
The TMC further alleged that attempts such as voter intimidation, deletion of names and misuse of central forces had failed, prompting the BJP to resort to “desperate measures” like tampering with EVMs.
“CCTV footage has exposed how @BJP4India, in active collusion with the @ECISVEEP, is opening ballot boxes without the presence of any relevant party stakeholders. This is gross electoral fraud being committed openly with the full knowledge and protection of the Election Commission,” the TMC posted.
“They have tried every dirty trick, name deletion, voter intimidation, Central Force terror, cash flooding, and failed miserably. Now, in sheer desperation, they have stooped to tampering with EVMs. But Bengal is not Maharashtra, Delhi, or Bihar. We will not sit silently and watch them loot our democracy,” it added.
The EC dismissed the claims regarding the handling of polled materials at the centre and asserted that all procedures were duly followed and the strongrooms remain secure.
Clarifying the situation, an official told PTI, “There are seven Assembly Constituency (AC)-wise strongrooms inside the Kshudiram Anushilan Kendra, all of which have been closed and sealed in the presence of candidates, their election agents and the general observer after completion of polling.”
The final strongroom was sealed at around 5.15 am on Thursday, he added.
“All strongrooms containing polled EVMs are safely secured and sealed,” the official said, rejecting allegations of irregularity.
The EC further stated that a separate strongroom within the same premises has been designated for postal ballots, where AC-wise polled ballots, including those received through the Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETBPS), have been stored.
“We had notified all observers and returning officers (ROs), and requested ROs to inform candidates and their agents accordingly. The political parties were also informed by the ROs via email,” he said.
Addressing the activity seen in the purported video, the official clarified that “segregation of ballots was being carried out in the corridor outside the strong rooms from 4 pm, as part of the prescribed process.”
Reiterating the security measures, the official said, “The main strongrooms are safely secured and locked,” adding that the arrangements were shown to representatives, including Panja, Ghosh and a BJP representative.
The commission maintained all protocols have been strictly adhered to and urged the public not to be misled by unverified content on social media.
In a late-evening development, TMC and BJP workers gathered outside Khudiram Anushilan Kendra and raised ‘Jai Bangla’ and ‘Jai Sree Ram’ slogans. Soon after, a large police contingent went to the spot and dispersed the crowd.
