West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal said 77 complaints of alleged electronic voting machine tampering have been reported [1].
These allegations challenge the integrity of the voting process in several key constituencies. If confirmed, the need for repolling underscores vulnerabilities in the electronic system and could influence the final results of the assembly elections.
Agarwal said that repolling may be conducted before May 2 where required [2]. He said that repolling is likely for booths where EVMs are found to have been tampered with [3].
Complaints were concentrated in the constituencies of Falta, Magrahat, Diamond Harbour, and Budge Budge [4]. Officials said that Falta emerged as the main flash-point, accounting for 32 of the cases [5].
Reports on voter turnout for Phase 2 vary. One report cited a record turnout of 92.47 percent [6] — while another reported 78.68 percent as of 3 p.m. [7].
The Election Commission is currently reviewing the complaints to determine which specific booths require a new vote. The urgency to resolve these disputes before May 2 is intended to ensure the election timeline remains on track.
“77 complaints related to alleged EVM tampering have been reported”
The concentration of tampering allegations in specific constituencies like Falta suggests localized disruptions rather than a systemic failure. However, the discrepancy in reported voter turnout figures indicates potential volatility in the reporting process, making the decision on repolling critical for maintaining public trust in the electoral outcome.
