A political row erupted in West Bengal on Sunday after a few hundred slips of papers, believed to be from Voter Verifiable Paper Audit (VVPAT) machines that were used during the April 29 Assembly elections in Noapara constituency, were found on the roadside in Duttapapukur district in North 24 Parganas district, with the BJP, TMC and CPI(M) accusing the Election Commission of India (ECI) of gross negligence. However, the EC claimed that the coupons were from VVPAT machines used in a fake poll conducted ahead of the Assembly elections.
The incident comes hours before the counting of votes in the West Bengal state elections, which were held in two phases on April 23 and 29.
Votes for 293 of the 294 Assembly constituencies are certain to be counted on Monday, as a re-poll was ordered in the Valta constituency following allegations of electoral malpractice and threats to voters.
“I will collect these (paper slips) and submit them to higher authorities,” Barasat Vidyagar sub-divisional police officer Ajinkya Anant told media at the site.
Supporters of the three parties rushed to the scene and prevented the police from confiscating the scraps found among the bushes next to the road.
“I will let the police take the scraps if they give me a copy of the seizure list. This is from a machine used at booth number 29 in Garulia. This is gross negligence on the part of the Election Commission of India,” BJP candidate from Noapara Arjun Singh said.
Following reports that a large number of coupons were bearing the CPI(M) symbol, party leader Gargi Chatterjee claimed that efforts are on to change the poll results.
“Is this the reason why the Election Commission of India is taking such proactive steps? How can VVPAT land here with paramilitary forces deployed in such large numbers?” she said.
Many of the slips also bore the TMC symbol, people familiar with the matter said.
“I will file a complaint with the EC immediately,” TMC candidate Trinancore Bhattacharjee said.
Reacting to the matter, a statement from the office of Bengal’s chief electoral officer, Manoj Kumar Agarwal, said the gaffes were linked to a fake poll conducted before election day.
“On examination, it was found that the VVPAT paper slips on offer were related to the fictitious poll conducted before the polling day and were not related to the actual poll conducted on the polling day. A detailed investigation has been initiated, and a formal complaint has been lodged for verification and action,” the X CEO’s office said.
VVPAT machines provide visual confirmation to voters using electronic voting machines (EVMs) instead of traditional paper ballots. After the voter exercises his choice on the electronic voting machine, a slip bearing the party symbol appears for a few seconds behind a transparent glass. The scraps are collected inside the device.
Meanwhile, a day before the counting of votes for 294 Assembly constituencies on Monday, rival BJP candidates offered prayers at temples across West Bengal, while Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee held a closed-door meeting with some party leaders.
“An unexpected and unique result awaits us. It will have no resemblance to the exit poll results or what psychologists have predicted. It will cast a shadow over the results of the 2021 and 2026 elections,” state BJP president Samik Bhattacharya said.
In response, Cabinet Minister and Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim said: “Mamata Banerjee is back in power for the fourth time. Our victory is certain. We will win more seats than before. Mamata Banerjee will win from Bhabanipur by a huge margin.”
The Bengal CEO said that all security arrangements are in place.
“We have 163 double-hall counting centers and 129 single-hall counting centres. Each hall will have a counting observer as per the latest order issued by the EC.
We have held meetings at all levels. He added that all security arrangements are in place.
Although no violence was reported on Sunday, Arjun Singh, BJP candidate from Noapara in North 24 Parganas district, raised an allegation.
“Two TMC-backed criminals, Akash Chaudhary and Aman Chaudhary, opened fire on the residence of our local leader Kundan Singh on Saturday evening,” Arjun Singh said, accusing Noapara Trinancore Party candidate Bhattacharya of sending the attackers. He also showed security camera footage to the media.
“TMC does not believe in violence. Singh is making up stories because he will lose,” said Bhattacharya, who denied the charge.
