A tense standoff unfolded at Kolkata's Khudiram Anushilan Kendra, the designated counting centre for seven north and east Kolkata assembly constituencies, late Thursday after the Trinamool Congress alleged that unknown individuals had tampered with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), purportedly captured on CCTV footage entering the strongrooms.
EC Officials Dismiss Allegations
Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal dismissed the allegations of tampering with EVMs and postal ballots, stating that there was nothing suspicious about the incident. He explained that the strongroom is protected by three-tier security, and no one can enter except for authorised officers.
TMC Leaders Protest
TMC candidates Shashi Panja and Kunal Ghosh staged a roadside protest at the centre, while Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee camped at Sakhawat Memorial High School, the strongroom for the Bhowanipore seat she is contesting against BJP's Suvendu Adhikari. Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and Kolkata Police personnel ringed both strongrooms amid sloganeering by TMC and BJP workers.
Mamata Calls for Vigil
Mamata urged her party's candidates across all 294 constituencies to maintain round-the-clock vigil at EVM strongrooms until May 4, warning of attempts to tamper with the machines. The standoff escalated after TMC released CCTV footage allegedly showing an intrusion into Khudiram Anushilan Kendra.
Official Clarification on Postal Ballots
Kolkata North district election officer Smita Pandey reached the counting centre with senior police officers and spoke to Ghosh and Panja, reassuring them that nothing untoward had occurred. Pandey clarified that representatives of the contesting parties had been informed beforehand that segregation of postal ballots would take place at 4pm, and that the people seen in the CCTV footage were EC-authorised representatives segregating the postal ballots. She also confirmed that all strongrooms containing polled EVMs were sealed and adequately secured.
Additional Measures Promised
Pandey promised that additional CCTVs would be installed. Ghosh later stated that they had questioned EC officials about ballot boxes being opened in the absence of stakeholders, and were assured it would not be repeated.
BJP Joins the Fray
The arrival of BJP candidates Tapas Ray and Santosh Pathak led to a fresh confrontation. Ray accused TMC of spreading rumours and said that if they gathered there, BJP would also stand vigil. BJP and Trinamool workers clashed outside the centre, prompting CAPF and police to step in, physically remove them, and set up a barricade. Pandey and senior officers then made the rival candidates sit together and explained that all necessary steps would be taken, urging them to ask their supporters to disperse.
Mamata's Presence Questioned
In Bhowanipore, Mamata's presence at the counting centre prompted BJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari's representative, Suryaneel Das, to shout at police officials, questioning why a candidate was present inside for so long, alleging it was unconstitutional. Earlier, posting a video on social media, Mamata said she was prepared to keep vigil through the night if required, urging party candidates not to be negligent and to stay at the counting table until she formally addressed the press.
TMC Demands Form 17C
TMC also asked its candidates to collect Form 17C, used during counting to verify votes secured by candidates against the total accepted votes. While opposition parties have demanded that such data be made public within 48 hours, the EC is yet to consider it.
