KOLKATA – The second phase of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections has been gripped by intense controversy following allegations of widespread Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) tampering in the Diamond Harbour region.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has formally demanded re-polling in several areas, accusing the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of systemic electoral malpractice.
Amit Malviya, BJP’s IT cell head, took to social media to share video evidence of the alleged tampering. He labeled the tactics as the “Diamond Harbour model,” a term the BJP uses to describe what they claim is a blueprint for state-sponsored voter suppression and booth manipulation.
The core of the dispute centers on the Falta assembly segment, a traditional stronghold for TMC heavyweight and MP Abhishek Banerjee. BJP leaders claim that in multiple polling stations—including Harindanga High School—the button corresponding to the BJP’s lotus symbol on EVMs was covered with adhesive tape, rendering it unpressable for voters.
“This is the same model that helped Abhishek Banerjee secure his Lok Sabha seat. By taping over the button, they have effectively stripped the people of their right to vote for the BJP,” Malviya stated while demanding immediate re-polls.
The Trinamool Congress has vehemently denied the accusations, dismissing them as a “desperate narrative” by a party staring at defeat. Instead of addressing the EVM claims directly, the TMC turned its focus toward the Election Commission (EC) and the administrative machinery.
- Blaming the Observer: TMC leadership criticized IPS officer Ajay Pal Sharma, the EC-appointed observer, for alleged lapses in poll management.
- Allegations of Intimidation: The TMC further alleged that Sharma had previously intimidated their candidate, Jehangir Khan, suggesting a bias in the federal oversight of the elections.
As tensions rise in South 24 Parganas, the Election Commission has maintained a cautious stance. Sources within the EC confirmed that all formal complaints are currently undergoing verification. Technical teams are currently inspecting the machines in the questioned booths to determine if the buttons were intentionally obstructed.
The Commission has clarified that if these reports of tampering or “button blocking” are verified as true, fresh voting will be ordered for the affected polling stations to ensure a fair mandate.
The Diamond Harbour region is more than just a constituency; it is a prestige battleground. For the BJP, proving malpractice here is key to challenging the TMC’s dominance. For the TMC, maintaining their grip on this fortress is essential for their path to retaining power in the state. With the second phase concluding under a cloud of suspicion, the final report from the Election Commission will be pivotal in determining the next steps for the Falta booths.
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