The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal has announced that the Election Commission (EC) will order a repoll in constituencies where allegations of EVM tampering are proven true. The statement came amid ongoing voting in the second and final phase of the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026.
EC's Firm Stand on EVM Integrity
CEO Agarwal emphasized that the EC takes any allegation of electoral malpractices seriously. “If any tampering of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) is established after investigation, the Commission will not hesitate to order a repoll in the affected booths,” he stated. The assurance aims to maintain the credibility of the electoral process.
BJP's Allegations of Symbol Covering
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had earlier complained that in certain polling booths, the party's symbols on EVMs were covered with tape or ink. This, they argued, could confuse voters and undermine the fairness of the election. The allegations were raised during the second phase of polling, which is currently underway.
The EC has directed its officials to conduct thorough inspections of the complained booths. Reports are expected to be submitted within 24 hours. Depending on the findings, the EC may declare the voting in those booths null and void and schedule fresh polls.
Political Reactions
Political parties have reacted sharply to the developments. The BJP has welcomed the EC's assurance, calling it a step towards ensuring free and fair elections. Meanwhile, the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) has dismissed the allegations as baseless and accused the BJP of attempting to discredit the electoral process.
The West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 have been closely watched, with the second phase covering several key constituencies. The EC has deployed additional surveillance teams to monitor the remaining polling stations.
Voter turnout in the second phase has been reported to be high, with long queues seen outside polling booths early in the morning. Authorities have urged voters to remain patient and exercise their franchise without fear.
The EC's prompt response to the allegations underscores its commitment to upholding democratic principles. As the voting continues, all eyes are on the Commission's next steps to ensure a transparent election.
