Mamata Storms EVM Strongroom Amid West Bengal Assembly Poll Tensions

Key Takeaways

• Mamata Banerjee alleged blocked entry to EVM strongrooms, accusing BJP of colluding with the Election Commission.
• TMC described the incident as "gross electoral fraud" citing CCTV footage of ballot box opening without party presence.
• West Bengal chief electoral officer denied controversies, stating strongrooms were secure and rules were followed.
• Calcutta High Court dismissed TMC plea regarding the deployment of central government employees for vote counting.

The streets of Kolkata witnessed a dramatic showdown between the Election Commission of India and the Trinamool Congress in the immediate aftermath of the West Bengal assembly polls. The conflict intensified as TMC leaders staged a sit-in protest outside a strongroom housing Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), alleging severe procedural irregularities and unauthorized access.

The controversy erupted when TMC workers, who had been stationed outside the strongroom, were instructed to leave in the afternoon. They were subsequently informed via email that the facility would reopen at 4 pm, by which time they had already departed. Upon returning, the TMC delegation claimed they were denied entry while BJP representatives were allegedly invited inside. This incident sparked a heated exchange, with the TMC posting on X that the act constituted a "murder of democracy in broad daylight." They accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of colluding with the Election Commission to tamper with ballot boxes and EVMs. Citing CCTV footage, the party alleged that ballot boxes were opened without authorized political party stakeholders, labeling the event as "gross electoral fraud." The TMC further argued that previous tactics like voter intimidation and central force misuse had failed, forcing the BJP into "desperate measures" involving potential machine manipulation.

The situation escalated significantly when TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee arrived at the counting centre for the Bhabanipur assembly segment. Braving torrential rains, she claimed her party had received reports of EVM manipulation in various parts of the state. Mamata stated, “There is a strongroom here for EVMs. We found that in many places, manipulation is taking place.” She noted that while she initially tried to view CCTV footage on television, she felt compelled to visit the site personally. She alleged that central forces initially blocked her entry but asserted that election rules permit candidates and election agents up to the sealed room. Mamata urged citizens to maintain peace, declaring victory was certain and that Bengal refused to bow to external forces. She warned that every act of wrongdoing would be answered through the democratic process.

Tensions flared further as BJP leaders from Maniktala and Chowrangee arrived to counter the protest. They confronted senior police officers regarding the presence of TMC workers at a sensitive venue. BJP leader Tapas Roy alleged that the TMC was "cooking up a false narrative" and accused their supporters of verbally abusing BJP workers. He noted that TMC supporters were howling outside a place where such behavior was inappropriate. Roy also mentioned that the District Election Officer had allowed TMC candidates inside to demonstrate that nothing was wrong with the strongrooms. BJP workers also attempted to block a TMC vehicle, suspecting it carried suspicious items, with one worker claiming, “They (TMC) will put duplicate machines and tamper with them.”

In response to the allegations, West Bengal chief electoral officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal firmly denied any controversies. He stated that EVM strongrooms were "safe and secure" and that no CCTV footage was turned off. Agarwal explained that CCTV from eight strongrooms, including one for postal ballots, was being telecasted for political parties to monitor. He clarified that the movement observed around 4 pm involved staff opening the postal ballot room as per rules, which was communicated to all parties. Agarwal noted that while most candidates were informed, only three came later, saw the EVM rooms sealed, and then left. He assured that the law and order situation was under control and that counting would be "100% neat and clean."

The legal dimension of the conflict expanded as the Calcutta High Court rejected a TMC plea challenging the Election Commission’s directive to deploy central government and PSU employees for vote counting. The court upheld the validity of this decision, noting that grievances could be addressed via election petitions under Section 100 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. This followed earlier allegations by Mamata about observers unfamiliar with Bengal being deployed to target TMC workers. The West Bengal assembly elections, marked by fears of SIRC and record voter turnout, have become one of the most fiercely contested in recent memory. With exit polls predicting a neck-and-neck battle around 145 seats each, the scrutiny over EVM tampering allegations remains intense as the state navigates a complex center-state rivalry and electoral dispute.

Election Commission Addresses Security Protocols During Tallying

The confrontation at the Bhabanipur counting centre highlights the deep mistrust between state and central agencies during the West Bengal assembly polls. The denial of access by the TMC and the subsequent rebuttal by electoral officials illustrate the high stakes involved in this pivotal election. As the Calcutta High Court dismissed pleas regarding central staff deployment, the focus shifts to the transparency of the counting process itself. The reliance on CCTV telecasting and the strict sealing of EVM rooms serve as the primary mechanisms for ensuring integrity amidst accusations of collusion. If the counting process proceeds without further physical confrontations, it may validate the Election Commission’s assertion of a "neat and clean" tally. However, the persistent narrative of Trinamool Congress regarding unauthorized access could influence post-election legal challenges. The deployment of central forces and staff remains a contentious issue, potentially setting a precedent for future center-state electoral conflicts in India. The resolution of these disputes will heavily depend on the final results and the willingness of all political stakeholders to accept the democratic outcome.