‘Most of the slips are of my name’: CPM alleges VVPAT irregularities ahead of Bengal counting

Kolkata: A major controversy erupted ahead of counting day in West Bengal after VVPAT slips were allegedly found discarded in North 24 Parganas, prompting sharp allegations from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and demands for an investigation into the electoral process.

The slips, reportedly from booth number 29 of the Noapara Assembly segment, were discovered in Subhashnagar under Ichapur Nilganj Panchayat in the Madhyamgram Assembly area, just a day before votes are scheduled to be counted. Gargi Chatterjee, the CPM candidate from the seat, rushed to the spot along with police officials.

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Raising serious concerns, Chatterjee accused the Election Commission of lapses and questioned the integrity of the process. “This is the state of the Election Commission. It isn't the 'Nirvachan' Commission. It's 'Nirjatan' (oppressive) Commission... Some slips of my name, some of the BJP, and two to three slips of the TMC candidate are lying here... A worker from our party saw this here. He called me. We called the CEO, but he doesn't have time for the CPIM... We'll demand an investigation, and the counting process can't start till they show us the EVM unit... Most of the slips are of my name... I will call it the Election Commission's fault...” she said.

The Noapara seat is witnessing a multi-cornered contest, with candidates from the All India Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party also in the fray.

The incident comes at a sensitive time, with counting for the 293-seat West Bengal Assembly scheduled for May 4 following two-phase polling held on April 23 and April 29. Exit polls have projected a tight race between the BJP and the TMC, with some giving a slight edge to the BJP while others indicate a close contest.

Security has been stepped up across Kolkata ahead of counting day, with heavy deployment outside key strongrooms, including facilities in Bhabanipur and Netaji Indoor Stadium, as authorities brace for the high-stakes verdict.