Alarming: TMC accuses ballot tampering, calls EC puppet
Alarming: TMC accuses ballot tampering, calls EC puppet
The Trinamool Congress releases CCTV alleging ballot box tampering ahead of May 4 counting, triggering protests in Kolkata as accusations fly between TMC and BJP.
In Kolkata, the Trinamool Congress has released CCTV footage claiming to show unauthorized openings of ballot boxes ahead of the May 4 counting, alleging gross electoral fraud and what it calls a murder of democracy. The party says its leaders are staging a sit-in at the site, with Mamata Banerjee expected to visit soon as part of mounting pressure over the polling process. The footage circulated by TMC is presented as evidence of tampering, and party leaders argue that the integrity of the ballot boxes has been compromised in the run-up to the vote tally. The confrontation has added a new flashpoint to a previously tense electoral climate in the city, with protesters gathering and political figures accusing each other of trying to tilt the outcome in their favor.
The Election Commission has reacted to the allegations, while the BJP has remained silent on specific claims tied to the footage in some reports. In related developments, observers and party workers have underscored the importance of a transparent counting process, calling for a calm but vigilant response to any signs of irregularity. The dispute comes amid broader claims about the security and handling of postal ballots and other voting materials, with TMC pointing to a strongroom dispute as a focal point of concern. Some local outlets report that TMC’s Kunal Ghosh has alleged tampering inside the postal ballots’ strongroom, intensifying the late-night debate over the integrity of the electoral process. As the situation unfolds, political tempers remain high and the city braces for further statements and possible demonstrations ahead of the counting day.
Officials have urged restraint while investigations continue, emphasizing that standard procedures are in place to safeguard the counting process and safeguard against any breach of protocol. The episode highlights the fragility of electoral trust in a period of heightened political rivalry, and the coming days are expected to see more reactions, calls for investigations, and demands for transparency from all sides.
