West Bengal Polls Phase-2: West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Agarwal on Wednesday said that 77 cases of EVM tampering were reported during the second phase of polling in West Bengal. Asserting
“zero tolerance” policy against such offences, the CEO said that the Election Commission will order a repoll in booths where allegations of EVM tampering are found to be true.
According to the complaints, buttons on EVMs were allegedly marked using black tape, glue-like substances, ink and perfume. According to sources in the Election Commission, the complaints came from the Falta, Magrahat, Diamond Harbour and Budge Budge constituencies.
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Agarwal said that a repoll will be ordered only after the authorities examine reports from the district election officer or election observers on allegations of tampering with EVMs.
Which Districts Were Affected?
According to sources in the Election Commission, the complaints came from the Falta, Magrahat, Diamond Harbour and Budge Budge constituencies.
Falta, which emerged as a major political flashpoint, accounted for 32 complaints, followed by Diamond Harbour (29), Magrahat (13) and Budge Budge (3).
Officials said that 23 complaints have been prima facie confirmed, including 20 from Falta. After verification of all cases, the Election Commission is expected to review the findings in a full quorum meeting and decide on the timing and locations for any re-polling.
The CEO also said that those found guilty will face the strictest possible punishment as per the law.
What Were The Allegations?
His statement came following allegations by the BJP that the party’s symbols on EVMs were covered with tapes or ink in certain booths during the second phase of polling on Wednesday.
BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya shared a video on X, claiming that white tape had been placed on the party’s symbol in booth numbers 144 and 189 in the Falta assembly seat, and demanded a re-poll.
“Wherever we got tapes (on EVMs) or any form of tampering with the EVMs, we will conduct a repoll. We will follow a zero-tolerance policy,” Agarwal told reporters.
At a polling booth in Panihati, a row was triggered after a blot of ink was reportedly found on the BJP’s “lotus” symbol button on the electronic voting machine, making it illegible. Following objections from party workers and voters, the ink was removed using sanitiser, after which voting resumed.
