Kolkata: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a clarification after VVPAT paper slips, allegedly from booth number 29 of the Noapara Assembly constituency, were discovered discarded in Subhashnagar under Ichapur Nilganj Panchayat in the Madhyamgram Assembly area in West Bengal, just hours before counting day.
The poll body stated that the slips in question were not connected to the actual voting process. According to the ECI, they were used during a mock poll conducted prior to the election day.
"Upon examination, it has been found that the VVPAT paper slips shown are related to mock poll done before poll day and are not related to the actual poll conducted on the day of voting. Further, a detailed enquiry has been initiated, and a formal complaint has been lodged for verification and necessary action," the Election Commission said.
Political leaders reach spot, raise concerns
The incident quickly triggered political reactions, drawing attention from both police and political representatives. CPI(M) candidate Gargi Chatterjee and BJP candidate Arjun Singh from Madhyamgram visited the site and strongly criticised the Election Commission over the matter.
BJP candidate files complaint, seeks investigation
BJP candidate Arjun Singh lodged a formal complaint with the Election Commission of India, demanding a thorough investigation and action against those found responsible.
In a post on X, Singh stated that VVPAT slips used with the EVM of booth number 29, located in the Garulia area under the Noapara Assembly constituency, were found in a garbage heap in Subhash Nagar under the Duttapukur police station area on Sunday evening.
He further said that as per rules, VVPAT slips are required to be stored in a strong room along with the EVMs. Singh added that upon receiving information about the incident, he visited the location, assessed the situation, and spoke with party workers before filing his complaint with the ECI.
He urged the Commission to conduct a proper investigation and take strict action against those responsible.
CPI(M) candidate questions Election Commission
CPI(M) candidate Gargi Chatterjee also raised serious objections, holding the Election Commission responsible and referring to it as the "Nirjatan Commission".
She claimed that the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal did not respond to her calls and demanded that the EVM unit be shown before the counting process begins. She further stated that counting should not commence until this demand is met.
Chatterjee also alleged that most of the recovered slips contained votes in her name and added, "We called the CEO, but he doesn't have time for the CPIM... We will demand an investigation, and the counting process can't start till they show us the EVM unit... Most of the slips are of my name... I will call it the Election Commission's fault."
CPI(M) state leadership raises security concerns
CPI(M) West Bengal State Secretary Md Salim also questioned the security arrangements of the strong rooms where EVMs and VVPAT slips are stored.
He stated that a majority of the VVPAT slips recovered reportedly indicate votes cast in favour of CPI(M) candidate Gargi Chatterjee.
The incident comes at a sensitive time, with vote counting for the West Bengal Assembly elections scheduled for today.
Agency inputs