EVMs in all strongrooms secured, sealed: EC junks TMC's ballot boxes opened claim

The Election Commission emphasised that all strongrooms containing polled Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are "safely secured and locked" as per established protocol.

The Election Commission on Thursday rejected allegations by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) after it posted a video claiming that the BJP had opened ballot boxes before vote counting on May 4, asserting that all strongrooms were secured and sealed.

In a detailed clarification, the poll body said seven Assembly constituency strongrooms at Khudiram Anushilan Kendra have been “duly closed and sealed” in the presence of candidates, election agents and the general observer after the completion of polling. The last strong room was sealed around 5:15 am, the EC said.

The poll panel emphasised that all strongrooms containing polled Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are “safely secured and locked” as per established protocol.

Addressing confusion over the visuals, the commission said a separate strong room in the same premises was designated for postal ballots. It added that constituency-wise segregation of postal ballots, including those received through Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS), was being carried out in a corridor area from 4 pm.

The poll body said all observers and returning officers were informed in advance and instructions were issued to ensure candidates and their agents were also notified. Political parties were informed through official communication.

According to the Election Commission, the arrangements and processes were also shown to TMC leaders Shashi Panja and Kunal Ghosh, who are staging a protest outside the Netaji Indoor Stadium, as well as the BJP representatives.

This is a developing story. It will be updated.

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