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Allegations of electoral malpractice surfaced during Phase II of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, with BJP candidate Debangshu Panda claiming that
attempts were made to prevent voters from casting their ballots in favour of his party. Speaking exclusively to Times Now, Panda alleged that in multiple polling booths, the button corresponding to the BJP on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) had been deliberately obstructed using tape. “This is a clear bid to block the BJP button. TMC is trying to block our votes,” he said.
According to Panda, the issue was reported from several locations, including Falta 144, Part 170, and Room No. 2 at Harindanga High School. He further claimed that Booth 189 was also compromised in a similar manner, along with other polling stations.
The BJP candidate stated that a formal complaint has already been lodged with the Election Commission regarding the alleged irregularities. “We have informed the authorities and expect immediate action,” Panda added.
The allegations come amid heightened political tensions during the ongoing polling phase, with both major parties trading charges over electoral conduct. There has been no immediate response from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) or confirmation from election authorities on the claims.
While West Bengal’s Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal asserted that polling across the state remains smooth and incident-free. “100 per cent monitoring is being carried out. People in high-rise buildings are also coming out to vote. There is proper deployment of CAPF, and all arrangements are in place. Voting is taking place completely peacefully, and no complaints are being reported from anywhere,” he said.
He further urged voters to participate in large numbers, adding, “We are also urging residents of high-rise buildings to go out and cast their votes. Everyone should vote. The Election Commission of India wants every person whose name is on the voter list to exercise their right to vote. In the first phase, West Bengal showed the country that a 93 per cent voter turnout is possible, and that elections can be free and fair. In this phase as well, we aim to match or even exceed that benchmark.”
Voting has begun for the second and final phase of West Bengal’s assembly elections, with attention focused on whether the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) can make inroads into the stronghold of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), led by Mamata Banerjee. A total of 142 seats are voting in this phase, covering key districts including Kolkata, Howrah, North and South 24 Parganas, Nadia district, Hooghly district and Purba Bardhaman district — areas traditionally regarded as the TMC’s political base.
