BJP button taped in EVMs in Falta where Abhishek Banerjee’s close aide Jahangir Khan is contesting: Election Commission okays repolling on concerned booths

Falta booth taped EVM button
Images via viral videos shared by Falta BJP Candidate Debangshu Panda, insert: Mamata Banerjee and her nephew Abhishek

As the Phase II of the voting is underway in Bengal, the BJP has flagged concerns in the voting process at the Falta assembly constituency under the Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha seat, South 24 Parganas district. BJP candidate Debangshu Panda had earlier on April 29 flagged that the BJP button near the symbol of Lotus was found taped in the EVM in some booths in the Falta constituency. 

BJP leaders and Falta BJP candidate Debangshu Panda, shared videos claiming that a tape was placed over the BJP candidate’s name and symbol on EVMs in multiple booths. They described it as the “Diamond Harbour Model” of voter suppression in a Trinamool Congress (TMC) stronghold, where TMC candidate Jahangir Khan, a close aide to Abhishek Banerjee, is contesting. 

The BJP has demanded immediate repolling in the affected booths.

As per reports, West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal responded, stating that any booth where EVM button taping is verified will undergo repolling. “If reports of taping of any button come in, that should be verified and noted. If true, those booths will go for a repoll,” he said. The Election Commission has sought detailed reports and is treating the complaints with seriousness, with on-ground verification underway. Agarwal added that widespread incidents could lead to repolling in the entire constituency.

BJP’s Amit Malviya had posted that similar ‘taped EVMs’ were seen in booth numbers 144, 170 and 189 in the Falta constituency. In some viral videos, the CPM symbol was seen taped too, but the CPM is yet to issue a statement.

Written by OpIndia Staff
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