West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday visited the strongroom at Sakhawat Memorial School in south Kolkata’s Bhabanipur constituency, where electronic voting machines (EVMs) are stored, and remained there for over three hours amid allegations of procedural irregularities.
Addressing reporters after exiting the strongroom, Banerjee, said she decided to inspect the facility after reports surfaced in the media. “There is a strongroom here for EVMs. When I saw it on television, I felt I should come,” she said.
She alleged that central security personnel initially denied her entry but relented after she asserted her rights as a candidate. “As per election rules, candidates are permitted up to the outer perimeter of the sealed room. I was then allowed,” she said.
The TMC chief said would continue to resist any wrongdoing. “I will fight all my life. If there is any manipulation, we will fight,” she said, warning that attempts to tamper with EVMs would be strongly opposed.
Her visit followed claims by the TMC regarding alleged mishandling of ballot boxes, based on a viral video.