Security was tightened in and around counting centres across West Bengal on Friday, with authorities maintaining strict vigil over strong rooms where Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are stored ahead of the May 4 counting of Assembly poll votes.
Officials said enhanced deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and state police has been ensured at key counting centres, including Khudiram Anushilan Kendra in Kolkata, which houses EVM strong rooms for several constituencies. Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Rupesh Kumar said additional forces have been deployed under senior officers, and access to the premises is being closely regulated.
Amid heightened political tensions , Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited an EVM strong room at Sakhawat Memorial School in Bhabanipur late Thursday night, where she spent nearly four hours following complaints of alleged irregularities. On Friday morning, the situation remained calm, with security personnel guarding the premises.
Banerjee warned that any attempt to tamper with the counting process would “not be tolerated” and stressed the need for transparency. “People’s votes must be protected. I rushed here after receiving complaints,” she told reporters.
Responding to the concerns, West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal said there was “no scope for wrongdoing” given the robust arrangements in place. He said strong rooms are under round-the-clock CCTV surveillance, and live monitoring can be viewed from outside by authorised persons.
“There is no scope for any wrongdoing given the arrangements made. One should have reason and evidence for making allegations,” Agarwal said, dismissing the complaints as baseless.
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) said its leaders, candidates and workers are maintaining a vigil at counting centres as per directions from party chief Mamata Banerjee. Party spokesperson and Beleghata candidate Kunal Ghosh said polling agents and candidates have been alerted, particularly regarding the movement of postal ballots.
“Apprehensions remain about unauthorised movement when a section of postal ballots is brought in the evening, so our people are keeping watch,” Ghosh said.
State minister Shashi Panja, who also visited Khudiram Anushilan Kendra, reiterated the demand for transparency in the entire process.
Officials said security arrangements will remain in place until the completion of counting, with strict access control and continuous monitoring to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
(With inputs from PTI)
