TMC Protests at Kolkata Counting Centre as EC Rejects EVM Tampering Claims
Tension erupted at the Khudiram Anushilan Kendra counting centre in central Kolkata, where EVM strong rooms have been set up for several north and east Kolkata Assembly constituencies, after Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders staged a sit-in protest alleging electoral irregularities.
TMC candidates Kunal Ghosh and Shashi Panja accused authorities of malpractice, claiming CCTV footage showed unidentified individuals inside the strong room “tampering with ballot-related materials” from EVM systems. The protest escalated outside the premises, drawing attention to security arrangements at the counting facility.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) rejected the allegations, stating that no EVM tampering had taken place. It clarified that officials were only engaged in the lawful segregation of postal ballots and that all strong rooms remained fully secured under standard protocols.
West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee also visited the Bhabanipur counting centre amid concerns raised by her party regarding vote security.
In a separate development, the Calcutta High Court dismissed a petition challenging the Election Commission’s decision to deploy central government and PSU employees for vote counting duties in the West Bengal Assembly elections, upholding the poll body’s directive.
Meanwhile, ahead of the May 4 counting day, the Election Commission introduced a QR code-based identity card system for enhanced security at counting centres. The three-tier verification process aims to prevent unauthorised entry and strengthen transparency during vote counting across multiple states.
