TMC accuses BJP of EVM tampering in Bengal; 'Done entirely under...', responds EC

CM Banerjee had previously too slammed the BJP for allegedly tampering with EVMs and engaging in voter assaults during earlier phases of the Lok Sabha elections in 2024.

The Trinamool Congress, on May 25, accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of allegedly tampering with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in Bankura's Raghunathpur constituency during the ongoing phase 6 of the Lok Sabha Election 2024.

The Mamata Banerjee-led party took to microblogging site X to share images showing EVMs with BJP tags, and claimed to have discovered five such machines. The party has moved the Election Commission of India (ECI) to swiftly address these concerns and take corrective action against the BJP.

The TMC wrote on X, "@MamataOfficial has repeatedly flagged how @BJP4India was trying to rig votes by tampering with EVMs. And today, in Bankura's Raghunathpur, 5 EVMs were found with BJP tags on them. @ECISVEEP should immediately look into it and take corrective action".

Smt. @MamataOfficial has repeatedly flagged how @BJP4India was trying to rig votes by tampering with EVMs.

And today, in Bankura's Raghunathpur, 5 EVMs were found with BJP tags on them.@ECISVEEP should immediately look into it and take corrective action! pic.twitter.com/aJwIotHAbX

— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) May 25, 2024

This is not the first time the TMC has leveled such allegations against the BJP regarding EVM tampering. Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had previously too slammed the BJP for allegedly tampering with EVMs and engaging in voter assaults during earlier phases of the Lok Sabha elections in 2024.

Shortly after, West Bengal's chief electoral officer (CEO), responding to the allegations, stated that during the commissioning of EVMs, common address tags were signed by the candidates and their agents who were present.

(2/1) While commissioning, common address tags were signed by the Candidates and their agents present. And since only BJP Candidate's representative was present during that time in the commissioning hall, his signature was taken during commissioning of that EVM and VVPAT. pic.twitter.com/54p78J2jUe

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— CEO West Bengal (@CEOWestBengal) May 25, 2024

The CEO further clarified that since only the representative of the BJP candidate was present during the commissioning of the EVM and VVPAT in question, their signature was obtained at that time. However, during the polling process, the signatures of all agents present at Polling Stations No. 56, 58, 60, 61, and 62 were collected, it also noted.

The CEO assured that all EC norms were strictly adhered to during the commissioning process, which was conducted entirely under CCTV coverage and was duly videographed.