Ahead of the counting of votes for the West Bengal Assembly elections on May 4, the Election Commission has assured proper security arrangements and smooth management of the process.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Manoj Kumar Agarwal, West Bengal’s chief electoral officer, said the counting of votes would be done in a “free and fair manner.” “The counting of votes will take place in a free and fair manner. We are fully prepared, and there will be no disturbances anywhere. The counting of votes tomorrow will take place peacefully,” Eni news agency quoted Agarwal as saying.
State electoral roll controller Subrata Gupta said preparations for the process have been completed, adding that some state government employees will be present along with central government employees during the counting of votes.
“We are fully prepared. There is no possibility of votes being stolen. There will be no irregularities in the counting of votes. Security arrangements are complete. Everyone has been trained for counting. There will be central government employees, and some state government employees as well,” Gupta was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
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Security has been tightened outside the fortified rooms across Bengal
Security was tightened across the bunkers in West Bengal, with security personnel monitoring the situation ahead of the results in the state on May 4. A heavy force has been deployed outside fortified rooms in Kolkata, including Sakawat Memorial Government Girls’ High School in Bhabanipur, Netaji Indoor Stadium, and several other places, news agency ANI reported.
CRPF Director General Gyanendra Pratap Singh and Special Director General Vitul Kumar inspected the Nehru Stadium room on Saturday. This came after the TMC alleged that the BJP, in “active collusion” with the EC, is trying to open polls without the presence of relevant stakeholders.
Manoj Kumar Agarwal, West Bengal’s chief electoral officer, responded to the allegations, saying the EVM chambers are “safe and secure”.
Tensions were high across the state, with party workers standing outside barricaded chambers to prevent unauthorized entry. The BJP claimed earlier on Saturday that a man was caught trying to enter a strong room in Asansol with a switched off mobile phone, creating a stir. “Someone was trying to enter here with a mobile phone. Our men caught him. Mobile phones are banned,” a BJP leader said.
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Polling re-runs in Valta on 21 May amid protests by local residents
The EC ordered a new re-poll in Valta on 21 May, citing serious electoral irregularities and subversion of the democratic process during the second phase of voting on 29 April. Meanwhile, locals protested in Valta alleging that they were receiving threats from Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers.
Following the decision to re-poll, security was beefed up outside the Chief Electoral Officer’s office and in Valta. Re-polling will take place at all 285 polling stations, including auxiliary polling stations, in Valta on May 21 between 7am and 6pm. The votes will be counted on May 24.
