Hours after the Trinamool Congress party alleged that 'BJP tags' were found on 5 EVMs used for polling in Bankura's Raghunathpur, the Election Commission of India swiftly responded to the query. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the Chief Electoral Office, West Bengal, addressed the allegations, refuting the claims of poll rigging posed by the TMC amid the sixth phase of polling across the country.
The Chief Electoral Office, West Bengal, in its reply stated, "During commissioning, common address tags were signed by the candidates and their agents present. Since only the BJP candidate's representative was present at the time in the commissioning hall, his signature was taken during the commissioning of that EVM and VVPAT."
"However, signatures of all the agents present at PS No 56, 58, 60, 61, and 62 were obtained during the poll. All ECI norms were duly followed, and the commissioning was done entirely under CCTV coverage and was duly videographed."
It is pertinent to note that the statement by the Chief Electoral Office of West Bengal comes after the TMC earlier today called for immediate action against the BJP by the ECI for the alleged vote tampering. As stated above, the TMC alleged that the BJP tags were found on atleast 5 EVMs used during the polling today.
Clashes erupt between TMC, BJP in West Bengal
Meanwhile, as polling continues in the eight seats of West Bengal—Tamluk, Kanthi, Ghatal, Jhargram, Medinipur, Purulia, Bankura, and Bishnupur—reports of clashes between BJP and TMC supporters have resurfaced.
While, the BJP alleged an assault on its Purulia candidate, Jyotirmoy Singh Mahato, by 'TMC goons,' thwarted only by his security personnel, on the other hand, the TMC accused the BJP's Jhargram candidate of directing his personal security to unleash violence on a woman exercising her right to vote in Garbeta.
Moreover, in parallel to the existing allegations, the TMC has also accused the Central Reserve Police Forces of committing 'heinous acts' against women in Bengal.
In a statement, the TMC said, "A SHOCKING incident in Debra, Ghatal. Following the heinous acts in Uluberia and Jangipara (Hooghly), Central Forces have now barged into the home of another woman, groping and molesting her. Outraging the modesty of Bengal's women has become a disease plaguing the BJP and the forces they control."
"Under HM Amit Shah, the CRPF has transformed into Central Reserve PREDATORY Forces," the TMC added.
