Big claim by Abhishek Banerjee: EC using WhatsApp for election directions; shares screenshots
Kolkata: Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Abhishek Banerjee on Wednesday levelled fresh allegations against the Election Commission, claiming that official directions related to electoral procedures were being circulated through WhatsApp instead of formal communication channels.
Sharing screenshots of WhatsApp messages on social media, Banerjee questioned whether the Election Commission was ignoring Supreme Court directions that emphasise transparency and due process.
In his statement, Banerjee said that instructions concerning election-related procedures were allegedly being shared through unofficial digital platforms.
“Is the @ECISVEEP of the view that directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court can be openly FLOUTED? The highest Court of the land has repeatedly emphasised transparency, due process, and adherence to official channels of communication. Yet we are witnessing instructions being circulated over WhatsApp rather than through formal, traceable, and accountable mechanisms,” he wrote.
Is the @ECISVEEP of the view that directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court can be openly FLOUTED? The highest Court of the land has repeatedly emphasised transparency, due process, and adherence to official channels of communication. Yet we are witnessing instructions being… pic.twitter.com/YVtwkK8p5m
— Abhishek Banerjee (@abhishekaitc) February 18, 2026
He further alleged that a Special Roll Observer had issued directions to micro observers through a WhatsApp group regarding the acceptability of birth certificates, claiming this was done to influence deletion numbers in the electoral rolls.
Banerjee cited Supreme Court observations that the role of micro observers should remain assistive and questioned why, according to him, statutory procedures were being bypassed.
He also raised concerns about login credentials linked to roll observers, alleging that accounts assigned district-wise were being accessed from a central location in Kolkata.
According to his claim, this data was being used to generate queries targeting a specific community, an allegation that has not been independently verified.
The TMC MP said that the Election Commission’s credibility depends on public trust and warned that the matter would be pursued legally.
“The Election Commission derives its legitimacy from PUBLIC TRUST, not POLITICAL PATRONAGE. We shall pursue this matter before the highest court of law,” he stated, adding that strict legal action would be taken against those found involved if the allegations are proven.
The Election Commission has not yet issued an official response to Banerjee’s allegations.