Lok Sabha elections 2024: TMC alleges EVMs found with BJP tags, Election Commission responds

As the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha elections in India kicked off on Saturday (May 25), the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal alleged thatfive Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) were foundwith Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) tags on them.

In a post on X, the TMC said, "Chief Minister Mamata Banerjeehas repeatedly flagged how BJP was trying to rig votes by tampering with EVMs.And today, in Bankura's Raghunathpur, 5 EVMs were found with BJP tagson them."

The TMC demanded that the Election Commission (EC) "should immediately look into it and take corrective action!"

EC responds to TMC'sallegation

Responding to TMC's allegation, West Bengal's chief electoral officer (CEO) said that while commissioning EVMs, common address tagswere signedby the candidates and their agents present.

"And since only BJP Candidate's representative was present during that time in the commissioning hall,his signature was takenduring commissioning of that EVM and VVPAT," the CEO said.

"However,signature of all the agents present in PS No 56,58, 60, 61,62 was obtainedduring Poll. All the ECI norms were duly followed duringcommissioningwas done entirely under CCTV coverageandwas duly videographed," the CEO added.

Bengal voting in eight seats in phase 6

West Bengal is voting in eight seats in the sixth phase of the elections.

The key constituencies in this phase are Tamluk andMedinipur.

(With inputs from agencies)