Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Refutes Mamata Banerjee's EVM Tampering and Manhandling Claims

West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal has firmly rejected allegations of election manipulation made by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee following the recently concluded assembly polls. The rebuttal comes amid heightened political tensions after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a decisive victory, ending the Trinamool Congress’s long-standing rule in the state.

Banerjee had raised serious concerns regarding the integrity of the electoral process, alleging tampering with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and irregularities during vote counting. She also accused the Election Commission of bias, claiming that the chief election commissioner had acted against democratic principles during the polls.

Responding to these claims, Agarwal stated that no specific details had been provided to substantiate the allegations, making it impossible for authorities to investigate. He questioned the lack of clarity regarding the machines, locations, and constituencies involved, emphasising that vague accusations cannot form the basis of any formal inquiry.

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The chief electoral officer also dismissed Banerjee’s claim of being physically manhandled at a counting centre, citing internal reports and CCTV surveillance footage. He stated that all cameras remained operational throughout the counting process and that no incident of violence was recorded. Agarwal further noted that neither a formal complaint nor a First Information Report (FIR) had been filed in connection with the alleged incident.

Clarifying the administrative structure, Agarwal explained that the Chief Electoral Officer does not directly oversee vote counting, which is conducted by Returning Officers under the supervision of District Election Officers. He reiterated that the Election Commission operates within defined constitutional boundaries and maintains procedural transparency throughout the electoral process.

Despite the official rebuttal, Banerjee has maintained her stance, asserting that her party did not lose the election “morally” and refusing to resign from her position. She accused the BJP of orchestrating the outcome with institutional support and alleged widespread interference. Meanwhile, election authorities have confirmed that preparations are underway for repolling in select areas, with assurances of stricter monitoring to prevent any irregularities.

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