Kolkata, May 1: Leaders from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) have raised serious allegations regarding the security of the strong room where Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and postal ballots are stored. In a conversation with a news agency, District Election Officer Smita Pandey clarified that the EVMs are securely stored in a separate strong room, which is completely sealed and has no external connections. She dismissed the TMC’s claims as baseless.
TMC leader Shashi Panja expressed concerns to reporters, stating that officials were seen inside the strong room working with postal ballots, as captured by camera number 17. She noted that their party had not set up any cameras inside, and only external cameras were providing views of the interior. Panja also mentioned that the Election Commission had allowed candidates inside the strong room without notifying them, raising further concerns.
Moreover, she highlighted a recent decision by the Election Commission restricting access to the strong room, stating that only agents designated by the party would be allowed to view the video feeds in shifts.
Another TMC leader, Sougata Roy, emphasized that it is the responsibility of every candidate to monitor the security of the strong room. He criticized the presence of individuals from Gujarat, suggesting they were causing disturbances as the BJP faces defeat in the elections.
In response to the unrest outside the strong room in Kolkata, Samajwadi Party leader Ashutosh Verma questioned how ballot boxes could be opened at night and called for accountability from the officials involved. He criticized the Election Commission for allegedly colluding with the BJP to undermine democracy, calling into question the commission’s integrity.
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SD/PM
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.